- The head coach of Harambee Stars has asked local football fans not to dream after the team failed to qualify for the AFCON championships
- Engin Firat has condemned the neglect of local football, saying that not even a new coach will change the situation
- Kenya will not participate in AFCON 2025, which will be hosted in Morocco, while the country is expected to host the tournament in 2027
The head coach of Harambee Stars Engin Firat has responded to those who want him to be fired, saying that the issues of the national team are beyond his control
Kenya failed to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations after a goalless draw against Zimbabwe all but ended their hopes on Friday evening.
Source: Getty Images
Kenya failed to qualify for AFCON 2025
Harambee Stars needed to beat Zimbabwe to keep their qualification hopes alive before the final game against Namibia. The move, however, took Zimbabwe to nine points, and compared to Kenya's five, the dream is officially over.
It was another lackluster campaign, with Kenya losing back-to-back matches against five-time champions Cameroon. The two draws against Zimbabwe and Namibia surprisingly did not help Kenya.
Engin Firat's response following the failure to qualify for the AFCON
In a difficult post-match meeting after Zimbabwe's game in South Africa, Firat once again confronted the state of football in the country.
“Kenya we just want, we want, we want, what can we give, for three years we have never played a match at home, show me another nation that has gone through that, we have no fans, nothing, we have no help,” he told FARpost.
Kenya does not even have a training ground
The Turkish coach criticized the government for the lack of good infrastructure in the country. All major stadiums are currently closed for renovations.
“We don't even have a training ground in Kenya. Show me one training ground. Which training ground can you compare with other countries?”
Firat to the government: Solve the following issues
He also said that even a new coach will not change the state of the national team.
“As long as we don't solve these problems, what would you want to do? We change something, change the federation? Change the coach? What will change in the end? Nothing.”
The 54-year-old called on the government and the federation to resolve the issues.
“Why don't we follow the reality we have in Kenyan football and stop dreaming? Solve the problems.”
Why Engin Firat does not deserve to be the coach of Harambee Stars
Earlier TUKO.co.ke had reported why Engin Firat needs to quit his job as coach of Harambee Stars.
His bad performance at the helm since he was appointed three years ago was evident after Kenya failed to qualify for AFCON.
Read ENGLISH VERSION
Do you have an exciting story that you would like us to publish? Please contact us via news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
