Tanzanian club Tabora part ways with Kenyan coach Kimanzi

Tabora United Football Club has officially parted ways with head coach Francis Kimanzi and his assistant, Yusuf Chipo, following a disappointing start to the 2024/25 season. The club released a statement citing unsatisfactory results as the reason for the decision.

The announcement comes in the wake of Tabora United’s 4-2 defeat to JKT Tanzania, which left the club in 11th place with only 8 points. The team is now 11 points behind league leaders Singida United after eight matches. Under Kimanzi’s leadership, Tabora United managed only two wins, two draws, and suffered four losses. His side scored a total of 7 goals while conceding 14.

Francis Kimanzi, a former head coach of Kenya’s Harambee Stars, had taken over at Tabora United on a one-year contract for the 2024/25 season. He was appointed after leaving his position as head coach of Mathare United in Kenya. Kimanzi had replaced Masoud Juma, who stepped down shortly after Tabora narrowly avoided relegation in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League through the playoffs.

At 48 years old, Kimanzi has had an accomplished career in East African football. He is remembered for guiding Mathare United, also known as the ‘Slum Boys’, to their first-ever Kenyan Premier League title during his initial tenure with the club. Kimanzi has also had two stints managing the national team, Harambee Stars, in 2013 and 2019. In addition to Mathare United, he has coached other Kenyan Premier League clubs, including Tusker FC and Sofapaka.

Tabora United will now be searching for a new head coach as they seek to improve their fortunes in the current season.