‘I learned a lot from Migne’ – Kimanzi

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Jul 17, 2020. 11:00

Kenya national team coach Francis Kimanzi has opened up on his relationship with predecessor Sebastien Migne.

Kimanzi served as Migne’s assistant during the Frenchman’s tenure in charge of the Harambee Stars, which lasted from May 2018 to August 2019 and included a return to the Africa Cup of Nations last year for the first time since 2004.

“This was my first time being a deputy coach because all the clubs I have been before I was the head coach. Sometimes you also want to be behind and learn from somebody else and see if you can gain some experience and also do a self-scan,” Kimanzi is quoted by Capital FM.

“I was happy assisting Sebastien as I was learning and trying to figure out different ways of working and also learning on how I make crucial decisions and him as well and the way he handles things. It was quite an important moment for me.

“But it was not easy because also when you have a lot of experience also as a head coach, there is always that fight on decisions and thoughts but it’s always a positive fight.”

Kimanzi added that preparing for and working at the 2019 AFCON was a career highlight and one he will remember for the rest of his life.

“It is a big experience for any coach. Not only the tournament but the preparation itself, the intensity, the planning… What I learnt is preparing for long term and player management as well as the entire technical team. It is very important,” he explained.

Kimanzi will hope to guide the Harambee Stars to a second successive AFCON tournament, with the next edition rescheduled to 2022.