)
Former Harambee Stars interim coach Francis Kimanzi has taken up a key role within Benni McCarthy's coaching set up.
Former Harambee Stars interim coach Francis Kimanzi is playing a pivotal role in shaping the national football team under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Benni McCarthy.
As Harambee Stars gear up for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon on March 20 and 23, Kimanzi’s experience and knowledge of local football have proven invaluable.
Since his appointment, McCarthy has had limited time to familiarize himself with the Kenyan football landscape.
PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Athletics News in Kenya from Pulse Sports
)
21:59 - 11.03.2025
Benni McCarthy: CAF president Patrice Motsepe ramps up pressure on Harambee Stars coach
CAF president Patrice Motsepe has set high expectations for his fellow South African Benni McCarthy who was recently appointed Harambee Stars coach.
His first major outing in Kenyan football saw him attend an FKF Premier League clash between Kariobangi Sharks and Gor Mahia at Dandora Stadium, with Kimanzi by his side.
This immediately sparked speculation about Kimanzi’s potential involvement in the new coaching setup.
McCarthy has since clarified Kimanzi’s role, emphasizing the former coach’s assistance in identifying talent and providing crucial insights into the players.
Speaking after Harambee Stars’ first training session under his tenure, McCarthy acknowledged his reliance on Kimanzi’s expertise.
)
11:08 - 11.03.2025
Kenya dealt a blow in the construction of stadia earmarked for AFCON 2027
Kenya has been dealt a blow in its ambitious multi-billion Talanta stadium project earmarked for AFCON 2027 with audit revealing millions lost.
"It was also for me to have a look at players because I wasn't fortunate enough to watch them in a lot of matches. I've only been to one match so far since I joined, so I didn’t get a wide variety of knowing who and what players are," McCarthy explained in an interview with FKF TV.
"So I had to rely on the intel from Coach Francis and some of the coaches that have been part and parcel of the team before. I had to rely on them for certain players that I asked about, and also video analysis. When you watch videos, then you kind of see. I know it's not ideal, but I just had to because the time that I came in wasn’t enough."
McCarthy also noted that Kimanzi’s input helped expand the squad selection, ensuring no talent was overlooked.
"I just asked to add extra players for me to also have a look at them individually, personally, and yeah, I’m glad I did because maybe I could have missed a hidden gem," he added.
Francis Kimanzi is a respected figure in Kenyan football, having previously led Harambee Stars to their highest-ever FIFA ranking of 68th following the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.
His deep understanding of the local game makes him an asset to McCarthy’s coaching team.
Most recently, Kimanzi guided Harambee Stars through the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar in January.
The tournament, which was meant to prepare the team for the now-postponed 2024 CHAN, ended in disappointment as Kenya was eliminated at the group stage following a 1-0 loss to Zanzibar Heroes.
)
13:55 - 11.03.2025
New Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy names provisional squad for World Cup qualifiers
Benni McCarthy names a 49-man Harambee Stars squad for crucial World Cup qualifiers against Gambia and Gabon, blending experience and youth.
Despite that setback, Kimanzi’s tactical acumen and familiarity with Kenyan football continue to be instrumental as McCarthy fine-tunes the squad for the upcoming qualifiers.
His presence in the current setup provides much-needed continuity and local expertise, complementing McCarthy’s fresh approach.
As Harambee Stars prepare for their crucial matches, the combination of McCarthy’s international experience and Kimanzi’s local knowledge could prove to be the key to success.
Kenyan fans will be eager to see how this partnership translates on the pitch as the team fights for a spot in the World Cup.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
![Seat installation completed as Kasarani making fine progress to meet phase II April deadline ahead of CHAN [VIDEO]](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/18032025/ebe54630-3db5-4652-8792-cdc2204c9a73.jpg?operations=fit(600:))
)
![‘Don’t kiss me’ - Nigeria’s EPL stars can’t believe they’re sharing a bed on international duty [VIDEO]](https://sportal365images.com/process/smp-images-production/ringier.africa/06122024/d6b28886-f222-44f8-814f-c0539a9abf0e.jpg?operations=fit(600:))
)
)