Domenech leads Kenya search for foreign coach

 NAIROBI, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Former France head coach Raymond Domenech holds high rating among the final four short-listed candidates to take over the job at the Kenya soccer national team.

Domenech, whose last posting was with France national team at the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, has to compete with compatriot Henri Michel, formerly¹ head coach of Cote d'Ivoire and Belgians Adel Amrouche and Tom Saintfeit for the post.

Football Federation² of Kenya (FKF) chairman Sam Nyamweya said they intend to fill the vacant post by October as the country seeks to reclaim³ its lost glory in the sport.

Of importance, however, is that all the four candidates are fluent speakers of English.

Domenech was first shortlisted among the final 10 finalists late July for the post. Over 60 had made their application before it was cut down to 10.

They were Ratomir Djukovic (Serbia), Luc Eyamel (Belgium), Adel Amrouche-(Belgium), Claude Leroy (France), Otto Pfister (German), Tom Saintfiet (Belgium), Miodrag Dujkovic (Serbia), Henri Michel (France), Raymond Domenech (France), Kikovic Milenko (Serbia).

"The main focus will be on building on sound structures and frameworks that will help develop football in Kenya. Management of Harambee Stars will be also crucial, especially in the World Cup campaign. All the 4 finalists are coaches of international stature⁴, they have proven record and we have to pick just one," Nyamweya said on Thursday in Nairobi.

But the catch is in payment of the coach. All the four are keen to bring in their backroom staff, expecting the government to pick up their bill. The last coach to manage Kenya from abroad was Germany Antoine Hey and France's Bernard Lama.

Both left after failing to get the government backing and as the decision on the final candidate is made, it will be crucial to know who else will accompany them in the assignment.

"Affordability⁵ will be a crucial element. We must get someone who can help restore our glory and also take us to the next level without breaking the bank. The government is ready to pay up to a one-year contract in the meantime," said Nyamweya.

Kenya's Francis Kimanzi was axed from the job after he failed to lead Kenya through to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup final in South Africa.

Michel, 64, coached Frabce at the Mexico World Cup in 1986 where Les Blus finished third. He coached Cameroon in 1994, was with Morocco at the 1998 World Cup and Cote d'Ivoire in 2006 at the Africa Nations Cup in Egypt.

Belgian Adel Amrouche, 44, has coached Burundi and DRC's club Motema Pembe.

Tom Saintfiet also from Belgium is just 39 and guided Yanga to win the Cecafa Club Championship.

He has also had a stint⁶ with Zimbabwe, Namibia and Ethiopia. Domenech, who is 60-years-old, led France to two World Cups in Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010.

He was also in charge of France at the Euro 2008. He, however, has no experience with an African team.

Kenya is pooled together with Namibia, Nigeria and Malawi in the 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign.

1 formerly   

adv.从前，以前

参考例句：

• We now enjoy these comforts of which formerly we had only heard.我们现在享受到了过去只是听说过的那些舒适条件。
• This boat was formerly used on the rivers of China.这船从前航行在中国内河里。

2 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

3 reclaim   

v.要求归还，收回；开垦

参考例句：

• I have tried to reclaim my money without success.我没能把钱取回来。
• You must present this ticket when you reclaim your luggage.当你要取回行李时，必须出示这张票子。

4 stature   

n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材

参考例句：

• He is five feet five inches in stature.他身高5英尺5英寸。
• The dress models are tall of stature.时装模特儿的身材都较高。

5 affordability   

可购性

参考例句：

• Performance-Based Logistics Affordability: Can We Afford Categorical Conversion to Performance-Based Acquisition? 基于性能的后期的可承受性：能否担负得起向基于性能的采办的无条件的转变？
• There would be no crisis of affordability, as't for food or clothing. 就想食物与服装一样，因为供给没有危机。

6 stint   

v.节省，限制，停止；n.舍不得化，节约，限制；连续不断的一段时间从事某件事

参考例句：

• He lavished money on his children without stint.他在孩子们身上花钱毫不吝惜。
• We hope that you will not stint your criticism.我们希望您不吝指教。