Despite FKF earlier on tipping former Nairobi City Stars tactician Nicholas Muyoti for the job, a top source within the federation has confirmed to Flashscore, that they have settled for the 35-year-old Kimani, whose last coaching stint was with Kenya Police FC in the top-flight.
Kimani will join the former Bafana Bafana striker in his coaching setup which already comprises former Bafana Bafana custodian Joseph Moeneeb (as goalkeeper trainer), and Vasili Manousakis (as assistant coach). Since taking up the role, the 47-year-old McCarthy has already overseen two matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
His first fixture in charge took him to Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast for Kenya’s matchday five Group F fixture of the qualifiers against Gambia. In the entertaining clash, Harambee Stars came twice from behind to snatch a dramatic 3-3 draw.
The second game was against Gabon, played at a sold-out Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, but the Panthers handed McCarthy his first defeat following a 2-1 defeat masterminded by former Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who scored a brace.
According to a top official, who sought anonymity, Kimani will sit in the dugout when Harambee Stars play their next assignment.
“Our initial intention was to go for Nicholas (Muyoti) but after another second thought and thorough search, we have settled for Anthony Kimani,” the source, who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the matter at hand, told Flashscore.
“He (Kimani) will be unveiled in the next one or two weeks but I am sure he will be on the bench when Harambee Stars play their next fixture as the deputy coach to Benni (McCarthy) and his technical staff.”
McCarthy had taken over from Francis Kimanzi, who was working on an interim basis, assisted by Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno and John Kamau. Under previous coach Engin Firat, Harambee Stars had three local coaches – assistants William Muluya and Ken Odhiambo alongside goalkeeper trainer Jerim Onyango.
Who is Anthony Kimani?
Kimani, who played as a midfielder and also turned out for Harambee Stars, last featured for Kenyan Premier League side Nairobi City Stars before he announced his retirement from professional football on June 25th, 2023.
Born and raised in Riruta in the periphery of Kenya’s Capital City Nairobi, Kimani was inspired to take up football by his elder sibling Francis Thairu. He started off football at Dagoretti Santos then Kenyatta National Hospital in the Kenyan second tier before joining World Hope in the Kenyan Premier League in 2008.
In 2009 he was signed by Sofapaka but opted to return to City Stars for regular football as he felt he “was not mature enough” to compete with the more seasoned players at the promoted side. He rejoined Sofapaka in 2010 and at the end of the season he was unanimously voted the Kenyan Premier League midfielder of 2010.
He stayed on at Sofapaka for another three seasons till the end of 2014. During his time at Batoto ba Mungu - as Sofa are fondly referred to – Kimani, won the best midfielder award during the 2013 GOtv Shield edition.
He then crossed over to Coastal side Bandari, whom he served for two seasons before taking a break due to work-related commitments. At the end of the season, he led the side to the Domestic Cup.
After two and a half years, Kimani came out of the woods to return to competitive football by rejoining City Stars for the 2019 season. He extended his stay at the club for two more seasons following their promotion to the Kenyan Premier League at the end of the 2019/20 season.
He added yet another season thereafter, for a third season in the top league that would keep him at the club till the end of the 2022/23 season. However, Kimani called time on his career in the final game of the 2022-23 FKF Premier League against Gor Mahia in Kasarani Stadium.
While at Sofapaka in 2010 he earned his debut call to Harambee Stars by the then head coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and went on to earn his first cap in an international friendly against host Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on November 29th, 2010.
He featured for Kenya in the 2010 and 2012 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cups in Tanzania and Uganda, respectively. In total, he managed 10 caps for Kenya. In his second return to Simba wa Nairobi, Kimani made 77 appearances in all competitions and scored 11 goals.
At Sofapaka, he featured 116 times and scored 12 goals while at Bandari, he managed 48 appearances in total and scored 13 goals. Apart from Police, Kimani has also coached AFC Leopards, Ulinzi Stars and Bandari in the FKF Premier League.
Kenya’s next assignment will be on September 1st, when they host Gambia’s Scorpions in their FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture at Nyayo Stadium.
