NAIROBI, Kenya, December 23- Kenya has moved to secure the service of Belgian coach Adel Amrouche, barely a week after he led Harambee Stars to clinch the regional Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) chairman Sam Nyamweya announced Amrouche has agreed an improved five-year contract with Kenya, which will see him guide Stars through the 2015 Africa Nations Cup qualification and possibly help in the 2018 World Cup qualification.
The Government will foot the new deal after President Uhuru Kenyatta had agreed to help FKF to shoulder the coach’s salary burden.
Amrouche, who replaced Frenchman Henri Michel in February, was earning US Dollar 15,000 in the previous deal.
“It is great to have his service. He has agreed to grow with us and we are happy with his performance. Winning the regional tournament was his first assignment and he has delivered. Now we focus on the bigger things and the Africa Nations Cup and the World Cup will feature prominently,” Nyamweya told Xinhua in Nairobi.
Amrouche who holds a UEFA professional diploma and a Masters in Scientific Sports Research from France University noted his desire is to see a country playing attractive football and winning results.
Nyamweya said the new contract has been made possible because the government decided to come on board to assist Harambee Stars realise its potential.
“The Government has pledged to settle Amrouche’s salary for the next five years of the contract,” he said.
“We had a chat with President Uhuru, when the team went to State House to present him with the Cecafa Senior Challenge trophy, which we last won in 2009. He agreed to chip in and support football in the most possible way. The federation is grateful for this kind gesture which will definitely improve services within the national team.”
The contract will take effect from January 1, 2014. He however, didn’t disclose how much the new contract is worth.
Already Kenya has made a bid to host the 2019 Africa Nations Cup finals and Nyamweya said they are optimistic Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) will allow them to have the rights.
“We submitted our bid over four months back now and CAF has already acknowledged the receipt of the bid. We are hoping that we can get the chance to host the tournament in 2019. Our success with Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup is a bonus,” said Nyamweya.