Nandwa as head coach for CHAN assignment

By Omondi Onyatta

Confusion reigns within Kenyan football circles after Harambee Stars assistant coach James Nandwa was confirmed as the head coach for the Kenya’s Champions of African Nations (CHAN) assignment against Burundi this weekend.

Making the announcement, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chair Sam Nyamweya cited Nandwa’s recent success with the CECAFA team as a reason for his promotion. “Nandwa has proved himself as an able tactician as was evident during the just concluded CECAFA tournament,” Nyamweya said.

This development puts into question the fate of Frenchman Henri Michel who has been putting the CHAN team through its paces at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani. Indeed, Michel, who was appointed in October, has been missing from the training ground for the last two days.

Nyamweya appeared cagey when asked about the whereabouts of the widely travelled tactician. “Michel is still around but henceforth he will be in charge of Kenya’s preparations for the World Cup qualifiers,” he responded.

The team has been in camp for the past one month ahead of its duel with the Burundians. The first leg will be staged in Bujumbura with the reverse fixture occurring early next year in Nairobi.

First published in December 2012.