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Kenya's preparations for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and Nations Cup in Angola was thrown into a spin on Sunday after the sacking of the national team head coach, Francis Kimanzi.
Football Kenya (FK), which was formed last year to run the country's football and whose officials hired Kimanzi, 32, in a caretaker role May last year, announced his firing at a press conference, more than a month after confirming him permanently to the role on Dec. 11.
The announcement brought an end to endless speculation circulating in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, of Kimanzi's impending sacking for the better part of 24 hours.
Assistant coaches, James Nandwa and Yusuf Chippo as well as the Team manager, Peter Serry were axed alongside Kimanzi with Team Doctor, Dr. Wycliffe Makanga the only survivor in the team's management.
"FK has found it necessary to terminate the services of the national head coach and Serry after finding them totally in-disciplined and their continued stay at the helm of Harambee Stars technical bench is not in the best interest of the team on the long term," Sammy Obingo, the FK Secretary and Director told journalists in Nairobi.
But reacting to his sacking, defiant Kimanzi said the decision was comical as he was expecting it. "That is a comical decision but its okay since I was expecting it. At the moment, I will not comment on the team and my future," Kimanzi said.
FK appointed former national team defender, John Bobby Ogolla in acting capacity at the Harambee Stars' helm assisted by Francis Baraza who coaches Kenyan Premier League side, Sony Sugar who were runner-ups to Mathare United, the club side Kimanzi led to their first title last season.
FK Technical Director, Patrick Naggi was directed to liaise with the new bench assuming the role of Team Manager and a provisional squad of 37 was named.
FK, a splinter group from Kenya Football Federation is involved in a football management tussle with their rivals and has been handling the national team.
Officials aligned to it hired Kimanzi in May when former coach, Jacob Mulee stepped down after a string of poor performances.
Under Kimanzi, Stars qualified for the last phase of qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup after home victories over Zimbabwe, Guinea and Namibia as well as an away draw in Harare.
Last week, he led the team to the finals of the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup where hosts Uganda pipped his side 1-0.
FK gave seven reasons why they had taken the decision to relieve Kimanzi of his duties including making disparaging remarks about FK and refusal to honour friendlies organized for the team.
Among the sides Stars were due to face that Kimanzi allegedly refused to prepare the team for include a Dec. 27 tie against Yemen that was subsequently replaced by a game against a Madrid Combined in Spain and a clash against Africa champions, Egypt, next weekend.
FK also accused Kimanzi of defiance at the Cecafa tournament levelling charges of failing to honour post match press conferences and failing to heed the counsel of the Kenyan Head of Delegation to the tournament.
His departure will have ramifications on Kenya's quest to qualify for the 2010 World Cup/Nations Cup since Kimanzi was said to enjoy rapport with the players.
Senior members of the squad including dependable striker, Dennis Oliech, who plays for French Ligue 1 side, Auxerre, had thrown their weight behind the coach.
Oliech, who top scored for Kenya at the second round of the qualifier with three goals had asked for Kimanzi to be given more time to mould the team and prepare it for the final phase that begins in March where Kenyan are due to face former Africa Champion and World Cup finalists, Tunisia.
Bob Munro, the Mathare United and Kenya Premier League chairman, said, "It's very sad because he had something going with the team. Many decisions are being made by FK without consulting and I expect a backlash for this latest move."
Ogolla, a Kenyan football Hall-of-Famer was part of the legendary Gor Mahia team that became the first side from East and Central Africa to reach a continental final when they played at the decider of the 1979 CAF Winners Cup.
He was relieved of his duties as coach of Kenya Premier League club, World Hope (now Nairobi City Stars) at the end of last season.
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