Kenya sack coach for refusal to face Egypt

الأحد، 18 يناير 2009 - 17:31

كتب : Omar AbdelAziz

Kenya have announced the sacking of head coach Francis Kimanzi, following a row with officials over next weekend's friendly with Egypt.

Reports in Kenya revealed that Kimanzi was unhappy for not being consulted before Football Kenya Ltd. (FKL) had arranged the game with the Pharaohs.

The 32-year-old manager protested against the fixture as he claimed he is not ready to face the African champions with a half-baked team, having most of his players in commitments with their respective clubs.

A considerable number of Kenya players represent CAF Champions League participants Young Africans and Mathare United, who are ironically managed by Kimanzi.

"Kimanzi doesn't want to honour international matches," FKL's secretary-general Sammy Obingo told BBC.

"He requests for matches [then] when you arrange a match he turns around to say no."

Kimanzi has also cited his side's fatigue as another reason to call off the game, following the recent CECAFA Cup tournament.

Egypt's meeting with the Harambee Stars comes in preparation to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers finals phase for both teams.

Egypt are in Group C with Algeria, Rwanda and Zambia, while Kenya compete with Nigeria, Tunisia and Mozambique in Group B.

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