Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has given the green light for former Kenya Police FC head coach Anthony Kimani to join the technical bench of the national team, Harambee Stars, as Benni McCarthy’s assistant.
Kimani will team up with the ex-Bafana Bafana striker, who has already enlisted Joseph Moeneeb — a former Bafana Bafana goalkeeper — as the goalkeeping coach, alongside Vasili Manousakis, serving as an assistant. Since McCarthy’s appointment, the 47-year-old has led the team in two matches as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
His debut match in this capacity was at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast against Gambia in the fifth matchday of Group F qualifiers. The thrilling encounter saw the Harambee Stars come from behind twice to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw.
Next up was a match against Gabon, held at the packed Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, where McCarthy experienced his first loss in charge, suffering a 2-1 defeat, courtesy of a brace from former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
A senior official, who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed that Kimani will be on the sidelines for Harambee Stars’ upcoming match.
“He (Kimani) is set to be officially announced in the next week or two, but it’s certain he will be on the bench for the next game as the deputy coach to Benni (McCarthy) and the technical staff,” the official stated.
McCarthy stepped in to replace Francis Kimanzi, who was serving in an interim capacity, with assistance from Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno and John Kamau. Previously, under coach Engin Firat, Harambee Stars featured three local coaches: assistants William Muluya and Ken Odhiambo, along with goalkeeper coach Jerim Onyango.
Who is Anthony Kimani?
Kimani, who is a former midfielder and once represented Harambee Stars, last played for Kenyan Premier League side Nairobi City Stars before announcing his retirement from professional football on June 25, 2023.
Hailing from Riruta on the outskirts of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, Kimani was inspired to pursue football by his older brother, Francis Thairu. He began his football career at Dagoretti Santos, then moved to Kenyatta National Hospital in Kenya’s second tier, before joining World Hope in the Kenyan Premier League in 2008.
In 2009, he was acquired by Sofapaka but chose to return to City Stars for more regular playing time, feeling he “was not ready” to compete with more experienced players at the newly promoted club. He rejoined Sofapaka in 2010 and ended the season with unanimous acclaim as the Kenyan Premier League midfielder of 2010.
Kimani remained at Sofapaka for an additional three seasons until the end of 2014. During his tenure with Batoto ba Mungu — as Sofapaka is affectionately known — he was awarded the best midfielder during the 2013 GOtv Shield.
Following his stint at Sofapaka, he moved to coastal club Bandari, where he played for two seasons before taking a break due to work commitments, culminating in a domestic cup victory for the team.
After two and a half years away from the game, Kimani returned to active football by rejoining City Stars for the 2019 season. He extended his contract for two more seasons after their promotion to the Kenyan Premier League at the end of the 2019/20 season.
He subsequently added another season, making it a third stint in the top league, which kept him at the club until the end of the 2022/23 season. Kimani announced his retirement during his final game against Gor Mahia at Kasarani Stadium.
His first international call-up to Harambee Stars came in 2010 from then-head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, leading to his debut in a friendly against Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on November 29, 2010.
Kimani represented Kenya in the 2010 and 2012 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cups held in Tanzania and Uganda respectively, earning a total of 10 caps for the national team. In his second stint with Simba wa Nairobi, Kimani made 77 appearances and netted 11 goals.
At Sofapaka, he competed 116 times, scoring 12 goals, while at Bandari, he accumulated 48 appearances and found the net 13 times. In addition to his role at Police FC, Kimani has also coached AFC Leopards, Ulinzi Stars, and Bandari within the FKF Premier League.
Kenya’s next fixture is set for September 1st, when they host Gambia’s Scorpions at Nyayo Stadium in their FIFA World Cup qualifying match.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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