Dutch trained Kimanzi to take one step at time in Stars job

Newly appointed Harambee Stars tactician Francis Kimanzi is keen to nail one target at a time after being officially unveiled as the coach of the national football team on Tuesday by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

Kimanzi is also aiming at taking Kenya to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Kenya made an appearance at the showpiece this year after 15 years of agonising wait and Kimanzi is keen to make Stars regular participants at the showpiece.

The former Mathare United coach is best remembered for guiding the Stars to their best Fifa ranking ever, position 68 in 2008.

His in-tray is full as he will not only aim at impressive performances at the 2021 Afcon qualifiers where the Stars will lock horns with Egypt, Comoros and Togo, but also bid to take Kenya to its first ever World Cup in Qatar 2022.

“It will be a nice thing if we first make a comeback to the Africa Cup of Nations before shifting our focus too things like the World Cup which I believe is very possible,” Kimanzi said.

“We also have a boost of the squad which represented us in the AFCON of which we need to make sure we have a stronger foundation on them because they did quite a good job and me working in such a set-up gives me an assurance of making a comeback.”

Kimanzi will be working with Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno as his assistant coach, who is also doubling up as head coach of KCB FC.

However, FKF President Nick Mwendwa has assured that Otieno will take the national team’s duty as a first priority.

“I’m happy that KCB is delighted that their head coach is also in charge of the national team and they have assured him the necessary support to ensure Kenyan football dream is a success,” Mwendwa said.

Mwendwa committed full support to the new technical bench noting that friendly matches will be organized for them.

“I can assure you that Football Kenya Federation will give Kimanzi and his team total support because we have learnt a few things in the past which we will use to give our new team proper support including regular friendlies.

Kenya is set to play against Uganda on September 8 at Kasarani stadium and another Friendly match against Libya in either Morocco or Tunisia to prepare the stars for the upcoming 2021 Afcon  qualifier matches.