Kimanzi, whose last stint with Harambee Stars was in 2020, will be assisted by John Kamau and Zedekiah Otieno as deputies. Former Kenyan international goalkeeper Arnold Origi has been appointed goalkeeper coach, while Mikael Igediah will oversee fitness technology. Wycliff Makanga and Noel Mandi will serve as the team doctor and physiotherapist, respectively.
According to the newly elected Football Kenya Federation (FKF) led by Hussein Mohammed, the appointment of Kimanzi and his technical bench is on a temporary basis as the recruitment process for the official national team coaching staff on a permanent basis continues.
A statement from FKF seen by Flashscore read in part: “The provisional Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup, scheduled to take place from 3rd to 13th January 2025, has been named. The team, which consists of a mix of experienced and emerging talents, is set to enter the residential camp on 28th December 2024.
"This preparation is part of a broader plan to give local players exposure ahead of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament.
“The squad will be under the stewardship of an interim technical bench led by Francis Kimanzi as head coach, with John Kamau and Zedekiah Otieno serving as deputies. Former Kenyan international goalkeeper Arnold Origi has been appointed goalkeeper coach, while Mikael Igediah will oversee fitness technology. Wycliff Makanga and Noel Mandi will serve as the team doctor and physiotherapist, respectively.
"The appointments are temporary as the recruitment process for the official national team coaching staff continues.”
Harambee Stars were without a coach following the decision by Engin Firat to quit after failing to take the East African nation to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Kimanzi not new to Harambee Stars job
The former Tusker tactician has already handled Harambee Stars on three different occasions. First, he was appointed full-time manager of the national team on December 11th, 2008, after he had held the post as a caretaker manager since May 2008.
However, Kimanzi was sacked from the role after the 2008 CECAFA Cup in January 2009 due to disputes between him and Kenyan football administrators. After one year of coaching Kenyan Premier League side Sofapaka, he was reappointed as head coach of Harambee Stars 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 Nations Cup (AFCON). After coaching Tusker, he returned to Mathare United as manager in 2015.
In August 2019, he was linked with a return to the Kenya national team and finally returned as manager for a third stint in August 2019. In October 2020, he was dismissed from coaching Kenya and in November 2020 he became the manager of the defunct Wazito FC.
Ogam handed maiden Harambee Stars call-up
Immediately after being announced to take charge, Kimanzi named a provisional squad for the Mapinduzi Cup tournament. Among his surprise inclusion was the debut call for Tusker’s scoring machine Ryan Ogam, who currently is the leading scorer in the FKF Premier League with 13 goals.
In the goalkeeping area, Kenya Police custodian Patrick Matasi was overlooked with Kimanzi picking Byrne Omondi (Bandari FC), Farouk Shikalo (KCB FC), and Sebastian Wekesa of Kariobangi Sharks.
Another surprise inclusion in the squad is Shabana forward Brian Michira. The forward has been instrumental in Tore Bobe’s league campaign so far, helping them to ninth position on the 18-team Premier League table with 20 points from 15 matches.
The team, which consists of a mix of experienced and emerging talents, is set to enter the residential camp on December 28th, 2024 to start preparations for the invitational tournament.
According to FKF Vice-President Macdonald Mariga, Kenya will use the Mapinduzi tournament as part of their preparations for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament which they will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
“The Mapinduzi Cup offers our local boys a perfect opportunity to prepare for the upcoming CHAN tournament, and this is why we have honoured the invite,” said Mariga.
“We will give the team all the required support to ensure they are settled and ready to concentrate on their job, which is to play football and carry the Kenyan flag high.”
The CHAN tournament, which is scheduled to be the 8th edition of the biennial event, will be co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda from February 1st to 28th, 2025, and it will be the first edition to be hosted by three countries.
Provisional Harambee Stars Squad
Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Bandari FC), Farouk Shikalo (KCB FC), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks).
Defenders: Brian Okoth (Kenya Police FC), Charles Momanyi (Tusker FC), Hanif Wesonga (KCB FC), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia FC), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police FC), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia FC), Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka FC), Ronald Sichenje (AFC Leopards), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC).
Midfielders: Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), Musa Katimbi (Kenya Police FC), Michael Mutinda (KCB FC), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars FC), Ben Stanley Omondi (Kakamega Homeboyz), Brian Michira (Shabana FC), Ovella Ochieng (AFC Leopards), David Okoth (Kenya Police FC), Isaac Omweri (Nairobi United FC), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Samuel Kapen (Gor Mahia FC), Darius Msagah (Shabana FC), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards). Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police FC), Shafan Siwa (Tusker FC), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia).
Strikers: Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Francis Kahiro (KCB FC), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz).
