FKF appoints Francis Kimanzi as Football Development Director

FKF appoints Francis Kimanzi as Football Development Director

Kimanzi’s leadership and expertise will play a pivotal role in advancing our development agenda and shaping the future of Kenyan football.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has appointed Francis Kimanzi as its new Football Development Director, a role whose novelty in Kenyan football highlights the desire of the new FKF administration to transform the management and operations of the game locally.

“Mr Kimanzi, a highly experienced coach with an extensive background in Kenyan football, steps into this role as the federation seeks to strengthen its structures, nurture local talent, and foster sustainable growth within the sport,” FKF said in a statement on Thursday.

According to FKF General Secretary Harold Ndege, Kimanzi’s leadership and expertise will play a pivotal role in advancing our development agenda and shaping the future of Kenyan football."

Kimanzi, 49, was a pioneer member of the Mathare United squad that won promotion to the Kenya National Football League, just four years after it was formed in 1994. Together with Mathare United, Kimanzi won the Moi Golden Cup, now known as the MozzartBet Cup, in 1998 and 2000.

He ended his playing career in 2002 and became Mathare United’s coach the same year. In 2008, Kimanzi guided Mathare United to winning the Kenyan Premier League before leaving the club in 2010.

After that he coached Sofapaka, Tusker, and Wazito FC. He also had a second stint coaching Mathare United from 2015 to 2019.

Kimanzi, who holds a UEFA A coaching license, has also had four spells coaching the Harambee Stars, and his first stint is memorable for his efforts in helping the national team achieve its highest FIFA ranking ever, position 68 in December 2008.

Before his recent appointment, Kimanzi was serving as the interim Harambee Stars coach, a position that has since been filled by the South African Benni McCarthy.

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