Head coach Francis Kimanzi, assistant Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno and the entire backroom staff have left their roles at the national football team Harambee Stars on ‘mutual consent’.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the federation thanked the officials for their service.
“The Federation is immensely grateful to Coach Kimanzi and his departing members of staff that include Assistant Coach Zedekiah Otieno and Goalkeeper Trainer Lawrence Webo for their exemplary work, dedication and unrivalled professionalism, which has strengthened Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the AFCON 2022 final tournament.
The federation wished them well, in their future endeavors, this even as the search for a replacement to take the national team forward begins in earnest.
It remains unclear what prompted the federation to make the sweeping changes.
Telling, the federation said it won’t offer “further comment” until a new appointment is made, in the coming days.
Kimanzi took charge in August last year following the exit of Frenchman Sebastien Migne whom he had deputised at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Finals in Egypt.
Remarkably, as late as two weeks ago, when he led the Stars to a controversial 2-1 win over Zambia in an international friendly match at the Nyayo National Stadium, there was no telling he could exit from the stage.
His departure now closes yet another chapter in his on and off relationship with the national side – this being the third time he’s handled the side even as focus shifts to potential new candidates – likely to be foreign tacticians.
