Francis Kimanzi among the favourites to replace Firat - Photo Courtesy FKF Media.
Following the exit of coach Engin Firat after three years in charge of Kenya’s national team Harambee Stars, the newly elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) office have gone back to the market for a replacement in readiness for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament.
Firat’s tenure in charge came to an end on Wednesday after he resigned and the development was confirmed by FKF President Hussein Mohammed. “It is true I received Firat’s termination on Tuesday, I was not privy to it. His main reason to quit is due to arrears owed to him, so we will do an audit and agree on ways to settle the standoff,” Mohammed told Pan-Africa Football.
“But as a matter of fact, we have the CHAN tournament coming up, so we must move with speed to get a new coach, we will follow due process and inform Kenyans our choice in the next few days.”
Hussein Mohammed confirming Firat exit - Photo Courtesy FKF Media.
Kenya will co-host the CHAN tournament meant for players, who play in their local league alongside neighbours Tanzania and Uganda. In this feature, Pan-Africa Football discusses some of the coaches that are available to replace the departed former Moldova coach.
Francis Kimanzi
Having left Tabora United in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League, the 48-year-old Kimanzi is without a club and could be a good bet to take over from Firat. Kimanzi has vast experience in the Kenyan league, having coached Mathare United on two different occasions, Tusker, Sofapaka and Wazito FC. He is familiar with Harambee Stars having coached them thrice – first in 2008 when he came in on a caretaker role, but was fired after the 2008 CECAFA Cup in January 2009 due to disputes between him and Kenyan football administrators. He was reappointed as head coach of Harambee Stars in November 2011 but in June 2012 he was sacked alongside his entire coaching staff after Kenya failed to qualify for the 2013 AFCON. His third stint with the national team came in 2019 but he was fired again in 2020.
Robert Matano
Fondly referred to as the ‘Lion’ aka the ‘Special One’, the 60-year-old Matano is one of the most celebrated coaches in Kenyan history. Currently attached to Sofapaka, whom he has helped move from relegation zone to position ninth on the log, Matano’s experience could be of help for Harambee Stars especially in the CHAN tournament. His decorated career has seen him win five Kenyan Premier League titles with four different clubs. He won the title with Sofapaka on their debut season in 2009, Ulinzi Stars in 2014 and with Tusker in the 2012, 2020-21, and 2021-22 seasons. He was named the coach of the month in June 2021, and was later picked as the coach of the year at the close of the 2020-21 season to add on to a similar award earned in 2009.
Zedekiah Otieno
Though attached to record champions Gor Mahia but on interim basis following the sacking of Brazilian coach Leonardo Martins Neiva, Otieno, is another coach, who can take up the vacant role. The 56-year-old Otieno has already handled Harambee Stars, when he was appointed interim coach until he was relieved by Kimanzi in November 2011. He has vast experience in the Kenyan league having coached Gor Mahia four times, Sony Sugar, Posta Rangers and KCB. He came close to winning the league title with the Bankers in the 2019 season but fell short after K’Ogalo beat his side to the tape.
Anthony Kimani
Having called time on his career on June 25, 2023, in the final game of the 2022-23 FKF Premier League against Gor Mahia at Kasarani Stadium, Kimani ventured straight away into the coaching career where he has managed to handle teams such as Bandari, Ulinzi Stars and recently Kenya Police, whom he guided into the CAF Confederation Cup for the first time ever. Though he is clubless having been fired by the law enforcers owing to a string of poor results at the start of the season, it could be Kimani’s time to get a test of coaching at the highest level, having already been tried on the local scene. And being a former national team player, having debuted for Harambee Stars in 2010 against Tanzania, Kimani could take the opportunity with open arms.
Salim Babu
Salim Babu - Photo Courtesy FKF Media.
Another young tactician, who is clubless but is currently in charge of the Kenya Junior Stars for the upcoming AFCON U-17 CECAFA qualifiers in Uganda. Babu has been instrumental wherever he has coached in the Kenyan Premier League. He first helped Nzoia Sugar to keep their status in the top-flight two seasons ago, and then helped Sony Sugar to stay afloat. He was in charge of Kenya Police as they went on to earn their first ticket to continental football after beating KCB 8-7 on penalties to win the FKF domestic Cup last season. Police played in the Confederation Cup and were tossed out in the second round after losing to Egyptian giants Zamalek. He also guided Kenya U18 team to the final of 2023 CECAFA Under 18 Boys tournament where they lost 2-1. Having already enjoyed the opportunity of coaching a national team, this could be the right time for Babu, to scale the heights and take up the national team role.
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