Kimanzi surprised by Coach of the Month gong

Mathare United tactician Francis Kimanzi said being named as the inaugural winner of Fidelity Insurance Coach of the Month Award for February caught him by surprise.

“It’s a big surprise. Of course at the beginning of the season we’re all very ambitious and looking to perform better than everyone else but I have to admit I did not expect to be winning the award just weeks after its launch,” said Kimanzi who was speaking to Citizen TV at Nairobi’s Goan Training Institute after bagging the accolade.

The former Harambee Stars head coach received Ksh50, 000 and a trophy engraved with his name as part of the recognition, claiming the gong ahead of Muhoroni Youth’s James Omondi and Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno of Posta Rangers.

In a vote by Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) Football Commission, Kimanzi garnered 21 points to edge out Omondi who scored 17 while Otieno finished third with 16.

The initial list of contenders had Ulinzi Stars’ Robert Matano and his Bandari counterpart Twahir Muhidin but the duo failed to make it to the shortlist of three.

The tactician hailed the gong as a step in the right direction for football in the country.

“I’m happy to be honored today for my work although I give credit to the playing unit, management and other technical bench officials of the club. It is a result of team work. This initiative will spur growth obviously as everyone will be working hard to be the best,” Kimanzi, the most qualified coach in East Africa with a UEFA B licence, asserted.

After having a poor run at Tusker, Kimanzi opted to return where he began his career as a player before managing the Mathare side that lifted the 2008 Kenyan Premier League title.

The 40-year-old made shrewd signings to the team that played last year under the now Harambee Stars coach Stanley Okumbi while retaining a large chunk of the team.

New signing forward Obadiah Ndege has been immensely involved in the Slum Boys’ February success after netting three goals in the three matches.

SJAK President Chris Mbaisi challenged the remaining 15 coaches to up their game and dethrone Kimanzi in the month of March.

Kimanzi’s side finished top of the league in the month of February with seven points and are unbeaten in the league.

Mathare’s 5-2 thumping of 2009 champions Sofapaka remains one of the most thrilling matches of the season so far.