- Harambee Stars will not participate in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco after another poor campaign
- Kenya, under Engin Firat, has won once, lost twice and drawn twice, which will not be enough to qualify
- TUKO.co.ke takes a look at the national team's record under the Turkish coach and why it's time for him to go
Harambee Stars' dreams of playing in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ended on Friday evening after a goalless draw against Zimbabwe.
Kenya needed maximum points against Zimbabwe to keep their hopes alive ahead of the final round of the schedule next week.
Source: Getty Images
However, the Warriors stood firm and disappointed the hosts in the game held at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Scotland players, Tawanda Maswanhise and Jonah Ayunga scored for their teams either side of the break.
The result means that Zimbabwe has qualified for the finals AFCON next year in Morocco with a game left. They will play Cameroon in a match that will now die while Kenya faces Namibia.
Should Engin Firat be fired?
With AFCON 2027 expected to be hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, a strict autopsy is expected to be done to find out if the head coach Engin Firat is the right coach to lead the team forward.
The Turkey-based coach, known for endless complaints and excuses, has yet to impress three years into his reign.
It is true that his tenure has been characterized by being banned by FIFA, a domestic league that is still struggling to get sponsorship and better systems and the lack of infrastructure that has made him unable to coach the team in a competitive game on home soil.
However, that said, Firat has done himself no favors with his team selection and comments. How he handled Austine Odhiambo, who didn't have an impressive season with Gor Mahiais one of many examples of the 54-year-old's mistakes.
Engin Firat's record as Harambee Stars coach
Firat has managed 23 games. He has recorded seven wins, seven draws, and nine losses, which is a 30.4 percent win rate. Of these seven wins, only three were in competitive games.
Kevin Teya, journalist and enthusiast, says this record is unacceptable.
“Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has to go; he is not fit. Three competitive wins in three years is unacceptable.”
Engin Firat's games in charge of Harambee Stars
His reign began with back-to-back defeats against Mali in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers in Qatar before a draw against Uganda. His first victory was against Rwanda.
Since Kenya had been excluded from the AFCON 2023 qualifiers due to FIFA's previous ban, Firat managed to play six consecutive friendlies afterwards. There was an impressive win against Qatar, but that victory was quickly extinguished as the team lost to South Sudan a few days later.
Firat's biggest win as coach of Harambee Stars came against Seychelles when his team thrashed them by five goals. His biggest defeat was the difference in the first match against Mali.
Engin Firat's technique settings
His clever name has been called into question, with his team's arrangements often seen as questionable. Against Zimbabwe, there was a lack of connection between defense and attack in the first half until Duke Abuya entered the field.
Maybe no one will pay attention to his situation at the moment, due to the state of the election that football fans in their country, but after the dust settles after the December 7 FKF election, it will be important for any team that wins to understand that the current coach is not the right person to lead the team ahead.
Murkomen wants Mwendwa not to fight
TUKO.co.ke had reported that Sports Minister Kipchumba Murkomen called Nick Mwendwa unfit to run in the upcoming FKF elections.
Mwendwa wants to return this time as vice-president, after serving for two terms as President, stipulated in the Sports Law.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
