Former Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi has made a surprise return to the national team’s technical bench. Kimanzi will lead the team on an interim basis during the upcoming Mapinduzi Cup, scheduled for 3rd to 13th January 2025 in Zanzibar.

Joining Kimanzi is former Kenyan international goalkeeper Arnold Origi, who takes up the role of goalkeeper coach for the tournament. The addition of Origi, a celebrated figure in Kenyan football, marks a fresh chapter for the national team as he steps into his first coaching assignment with Harambee Stars.

The appointments come as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) continues the recruitment process for a permanent technical bench. Kimanzi, alongside assistant coaches John Kamau and Zedekiah Otieno, will oversee a 32-man provisional squad featuring top talents from the Kenyan Premier League with highly-rated Nairobi United winger Isaac Omweri the only player from the National Super League included in the squad.

FKF Deputy President McDonald Mariga opines that the National team’s participation in the Mapinduzi Cup is a step in the right direction ahead of CHAN.

“The Mapinduzi Cup offers our local boys a perfect opportunity to prepare for the upcoming CHAN tournament, and this is why we have honoured the invite. We will give the team all the required support to ensure they are settled and ready to concentrate on their job, which is to play football and carry the Kenyan flag high.”

The team will enter camp on 28th December 2024 as preparations intensify.

Provisional Harambee Stars Squad

Goalkeepers: Bryne Omondi (Bandari FC), Farouk Shikalo (KCB FC), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks)

Defenders: Brian Okoth (Kenya Police FC), Charles Momanyi (Tusker FC), Hanif Wesonga (KCB FC), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia FC), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police FC), Ronny Onyango (Gor Mahia FC), Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Baron Ochieng (Sofapaka FC), Ronald Sichenje (AFC Leopards), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police FC)

Midfielders: Chris Erambo (Tusker FC), Marvin Nabwire (Kenya Police FC), Musa Katimbi (Kenya Police FC), Michael Mutinda (KCB FC), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars FC), Ben Stanley Omondi (Kakamega Homeboyz)

Wingers: Brian Michira (Shabana FC), Ovella Ochieng (AFC Leopards), David Okoth (Kenya Police FC), Isaac Omweri (Nairobi United FC), James Kinyanjui (KCB FC), Samuel Kapen (Gor Mahia FC), Darius Msagah (Shabana FC)

Strikers: Ryan Ogam (Tusker FC), Francis Kahiro (KCB FC), Benjamin Nyamawi (Bandari FC), Sydney Lokale (AFC Leopards), Moses Shumah (Kakamega Homeboyz)