Former Thika United head coach John Kamau has been appointed as the new Mathare United coach, taking over from Francis Kimanzi, who has left the club for Tanzanian Premier League side Tabora United. This marks Kamau’s second stint with the Slum Boys, having previously led Mathare in 2022. Kamau has been absent from the local football scene since his departure from Posta Rangers in April.

The club also announced the appointment of former Wazito FC coach Mohammed Mchulla as Kamau’s assistant. Kamau’s primary task will be to stabilize Mathare United’s fortunes in the Kenya Premier League (KPL) as they begin anew following a disastrous season two years ago.

Meanwhile, according to Mwanaspoti, a Tanzanian publication, Kamau’s predecessor, Francis Kimanzi, is set to take charge of Tabora United in the Tanzania Mainland Premier League. This will be Kimanzi’s first managerial role outside of Kenya. Kimanzi, who left his position as Mathare’s coach on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, will be replacing Masoud Juma at Tabora United after agreeing to a one-year deal with the club.

Although Kimanzi has not yet arrived in Tanzania, he is expected to begin his duties at the club this week. Tabora United’s management has expressed confidence in Kimanzi, stating, “The board has settled on Kimanzi and believes he is the man the club needs. We needed a coach who has experience, and we understand that he is one of the best coaches in the East African region.”

The UEFA A accredited coach has requested that the club’s management take the team to Dar es Salaam for their pre-season preparations.

Kimanzi was first appointed to lead Mathare United in 2008, guiding the Slum Boys until 2012 and helping them clinch the Kenya Premier League title. He later coached Sofapaka and Tusker FC before returning to Mathare in 2015.

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