Mathare United coach Francis Kimanzi has resigned from his position to focus on his role with the national team. Kimanzi helps Sebastien Migne at Harambee Stars as the assistant coach.
To replace him, Mathare United has appointed Salim Ali who has worked with Kimanzi as his assistant since his return to the club in 2016 to take over. Mathare United announced Ali’s promotion in a tweet shared on the afternoon of Thursday 25th July.
Kimanzi will now have time and energy to focus on Harambee Stars who recently participated in the Total African Cup of Nations. He has been on duty with the Harambee Stars as Sebastien Migne’s assistant since May 31 when the team traveled for the pre-African Cup of Nations camp in France. On his return, Kimanzi has been in camp as the Stars prepare for their African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifier against Tanzania this weekend.
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The 43 year old tactician kick started his coaching career in 2002 with Mathare United. After 6 years at the club, Francis went against all odds to win the 2008 Kenya Premier League title with Mathare. He was then made the caretaker manager of Harambee Stars and later appointed on full-time basis in December 2008.
His spell with Harambee Stars was short lived as he was sacked on January 2009 after the 2008 CECAFA Cup due to disputes between him and Kenyan football administrators. Kimanzi then went back to managing club football after staying on the sidelines for about two years. Once back, Kimanzi took over Sofapaka FC for about a year before going back to managing the national team.
Kimanzi was again appointed the manager of the national team in November 2011. In June 2012 he was sacked as manager of Kenya alongside his entire coaching staff after Kenya failed to qualify for the 2013 African Cup of Nations. He then coached Tusker FC before returning to Mathare United as manager in 2015.
This is the third time that Kimanzi has been called upon to work with the national team. His next assignment with the national team is Stars’ first CHAN qualification match against neighbours Tanzania this weekend.
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