Bandari eye Kimanzi
By People.Reporter, May 4, 2023
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League outfit Bandari FC are closing in on acquiring the services of veteran coach Francis Kimanzi.
People Daily Sports can reveal that the Mombasa-based club have already opened talks to bring the former Harambee Stars tactician to the Coastal City as a replacement for Anthony Kimani, who was fired three days ago.
Kimani was relieved of his duties after Bandari suffered a 3-0 defeat against AFC Leopards to exit the Mozzart Bet FKF Cup at the quarter-finals stage last Sunday.
“We are currently looking at many coaches to replace Kimani, but I can confirm Francis [Kimanzi] looks the most likely to come on board,” a top Bandari official, who did not want to be named, told People Daily Sports.
“We are still talking, we have not reached any agreement yet but as soon as he [Kimanzi] agrees to put pen to paper, then I will inform you about the deal.”
Another coach who was being courted by Bandari is former Harambee Stars head Stanley Okumbi, who was recently named to take up a role in Mathare United’s technical bench but later turned down the offer.
The 46-year-old Kimanzi has been club less since leaving Wazito FC in January 2022.
He was also the head coach of Harambee Stars but was fired in 2020 despite having led Kenya to a 1-1 draw away to Egypt and a 1-1 draw against Togo in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Dockers, who are currently under the tutelage of Twahir Muhiddin, are sitting sixth on the 18-team Premier League table with 40 points from 26 matches. They have managed 12 wins, four draws and suffered 10 defeats.