NAIROBI, Kenya, November 6- Sony Sugar head coach, Francis Baraza and unattached Yusuf Chippo were appointed Sunday as national football team Harambee Stars assistant coaches.
Sofapaka FC’s Haggai Azande was also named by Football Kenya Association (FKA) in the goalkeeping coach role as Edward Oduor retained his position as team manager.
The four complete the technical bench led by head coach Francis Kimanzi which embarks on preparing the team for their first leg 2014 World Cup pre-qualifier against Seychelles on Saturday.
“I needed people I can trust. This job requires teamwork and I felt we can work together very well with them. I chose Baraza because he can relate well with the players and above all his work at Sony Sugar is testimony of his abilities,” Kimanzi said of the appointments.
“As for Chippo, we have worked with him before and now that he is unattached having returned from the Democratic Republic of Congo, he will be able to carry out some duties because Baraza and I are still involved with our respective clubs,” the tactician who was re-appointed to the position last Tuesday explained.
“I am happy with the appointment. I have been praying for this opportunity to help Kenya in a way. We will work as a team I thanks him for that faith in me. I thank Kenyans,” Baraza, 37, stated.
Chippo, 47, who was axed from Harambee Stars alongside Kimanzi in February 2009, is relishing his return to the national side.
“I will do my best to ensure he succeeds his endeavors as head coach. Kimanzi gave me a lot of support when I worked under him in 2008 and I’m pleased with the appointment and I pledge to work hard to achieve our overall objectives,” the immediate former AS Ruwenzori coach in DRC expressed.
Stars resume training on Monday with foreign based runners led by captain and AJ Auxerre striker, Dennis Oliech expected to link up with team from Tuesday.
“With the great task ahead of us, starting with the match against Seychelles, we as FKA discussed exhaustively with Kimanzi and settled on the personnel to assist him in his job,” FKA president, Sam Nyamweya said while announcing the appointments.
“The appointments take effect immediately,” he added.
FRANCIS BARAZA
D.O.B 10/08/1974
AGE 37
KENYA central defender: 1994-2000
Coaching Experience:
2006: Won the Kenyan Premier League
2007: Third position
2008: Second position
2009: Eighth position
2010: Fifth position
YUSUF CHIPPO
DOB: 21/3/1964:
AGE: 47
Coaching Experience:
Won KPL with Ulinzi Stars (Three Times): 2002, 2003, 2004
Coached KCB and Thika United
AS Ruwenzori (Democratic Republic of Congo) from February 2010 in Division Two of North Kivu Province, won promotion to Division One of Goma Provincial League where they finished third.
