Questions persists over Frenchman Michel’s french leave

By Omondi Onyatta

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) is struggling to fight off lingering questions about the whereabouts of Frenchman Henri Michel. This is against the backdrop of speculations that Michel may have absconded duty due to unpaid salaries.

FKF chair Sam Nyamweya insists that Michel is still in charge of the national team and that there is no stand-off between the two parties. “The association and the tactician have a cordial relationship,” he said.

FKF raised eyebrows on Wednesday after it appointed James Nandwa as the head coach for Kenya’s CHAN assignment against Burundi this weekend. Previously, the Rangers FC tactician had been in charge of Kenya’s squad to CECAFA championships. He guided the team to the finals before eventually losing to Uganda Cranes.

Michel, on the other hand, was in charge of the CHAN squad that had been in residential training for a month. The Frenchman, whose coaching career includes stints with Morocco, Ivory Coast and Guinea among others, is known to be his own man who is never afraid to ruffle feathers.

Under the deal with FKF, he earns a monthly salary of Ksh. 4 million. The East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) is the sole sponsor of the national team, which means that the salary must be paid using additional resources.

First published in December 2013.