TABORA United Football Club has officially parted ways with head coach Francis Kimanzi and his assistant Yusuf Chipo following a series of disappointing results in the 2024/25 NBC Tanzanian Premier League season.

The club's management cited underperformance as the primary reason for the dismissal, which comes after eight matches in which the team accumulated only eight points. 

Currently, Tabora United sits in 11th place on the league table.

Kimanzi’s departure marks the sixth coaching change in the NBC Premier League this season, further highlighting the high turnover of managers in Tanzania’s top-flight football. 

The tipping point for Kimanzi came after Tabora’s 4-2 defeat at the hands of JKT Tanzania, a game that saw the team suffer their heaviest loss of the season.

Both Kimanzi (pictured) and Chipo were present at the stadium for the match against JKT but surprisingly watched the game from the stands rather than the touchline. 

Conflicting reports suggested that the pair had been suspended by the club’s hierarchy ahead of the match due to the team's poor form, while others claimed that the issue stemmed from problems with their coaching licenses. 

However, given Kimanzi’s UEFA license credentials, the latter explanation seems unlikely.

An insider close to the club hinted on Friday at ongoing tensions between the coaching duo and the management, saying: "There’s an ongoing issue between the club and the two coaches. While the details remain unclear, it’s evident that something is brewing. 

“The coming week will be crucial in determining whether they will remain with the club or if changes will be made."

Indeed, these tensions culminated in Kimanzi’s dismissal, further underscoring the club's desire for a change in direction after a winless streak that stretched to five games, three of which ended in defeat.

Despite being only a few months into the job, the pressure had been mounting on Kimanzi, with rumblings of his potential sacking growing louder after each poor result. 

His departure now leaves Tabora United scrambling for a new head coach ahead of their crucial midweek clash against Pamba Jiji.

The duo's exit may have seemed inevitable given the team’s struggles, but their time in charge was not without its highlights. Kimanzi led the team to two victories, against Namungo and Kagera Sugar, and earned a draw against Tanzania Prisons. 

However, defeats to heavyweights such as Simba SC, Singida, and Dodoma Jiji proved too costly, sealing their fate.

For Kimanzi, the future remains open. Despite his short-lived tenure in Tanzania, the Kenyan coach has built a strong reputation over the years, particularly during his time with Mathare United in Kenya. 

While his time at Tabora United may not have gone as planned, it is likely that other clubs in the region will be keen to secure his services in the near future.