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Kenyan dreams were shattered as Engin Firat’s false promises left Harambee Stars broken, missing AFCON 2025 and hope itself.
Let it sink into every football lover in all corners of the country—Kenya will not feature in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
The heartbreak, delivered at the hands of Zimbabwe, has left fans questioning how the national team arrived at this grim juncture.
Much of the blame is being heaped on head coach Engin Firat whose promises of revival have turned out to be nothing more than snake oil.
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13:25 - 17.11.2024
Harambee Stars legend blasts FKF for sticking with Engin Firat despite failures
After a disappointing AFCON qualification campaign, a Harambee Stars legend criticized coach Engin Firat’s tactics calling for structural reforms and grassroots investment in Kenyan football.
When Firat was appointed three years ago, he arrived with a bag full of lofty promises.
He vowed to revamp the team, improve tactical discipline and elevate Kenya to a competitive level in African football.
But with each passing game, his shortcomings have become glaringly evident.
The numbers do not lie: seven wins in 23 games, with only three of those victories in competitive fixtures, speak of a coach who has failed to deliver.
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16:45 - 17.11.2024
Leo Neiva: How my exit from Gor Mahia was 'planned and premeditated'
On Wednesday afternoon, Leo Neiva was sacked as Gor Mahia head coach after just six league games in charge, marking a dramatic end to his short tenure with the club.
Firat’s reign has been marred by questionable team selections and a lack of tactical coherence.
Against Zimbabwe, his side looked disconnected, with the defence and attack seemingly playing different games altogether.
It was not until Duke Abuya was introduced that the team displayed some semblance of cohesion, but by then, the damage was done.
Firat’s inability to make timely tactical adjustments or inspire confidence in his players has been a recurring theme.
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14:00 - 17.11.2024
Distraught Michael Olunga on what went wrong for Harambee Stars in failed AFCON 2025 qualifying campaign
Harambee Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Zimbabwe on Friday, which knocked them out of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
His handling of Austine Odhiambo, one of the brightest talents in Kenyan football, is another black mark on his tenure.
Odhiambo, fresh off an outstanding season with Gor Mahia was expected to be a key figure in the national team setup.
Yet, Firat inexplicably sidelined him, raising questions about the coach's judgment and player management skills.
Granted, Firat inherited a challenging environment. A FIFA ban, a struggling local league and inadequate infrastructure are systemic issues that no coach could fix overnight.
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21:00 - 15.11.2024
Harambee Stars eliminated from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification after draw against Zimbabwe
Disappointment as Harambee Stars failed to secure a vital win against Zimbabwe ending their hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
But even within these constraints, Firat has failed to make a meaningful impact.
Instead of taking responsibility, he has often resorted to blaming external factors, further alienating himself from fans and stakeholders.
His tenure has been punctuated by lofty rhetoric and little substance—a hallmark of a snake oil salesman.
He promised transformation but delivered stagnation. His win percentage of 30.4% is a stark reminder of the gulf between his words and actions.
With Kenya co-hosting the 2027 AFCON alongside Tanzania and Uganda, the stakes have never been higher.
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12:13 - 09.11.2024
Harambee Stars: 6 notable absentees from Engin Firat's squad for must-win 2025 AFCON qualifiers
Engin Firat named his Harambee Stars squad for the must-win November 2025 AFCON qualifiers against Namibia and Zimbabwe but who are the big names that missed out?
Yet, under Firat’s leadership Harambee Stars are far from looking like a team ready to compete on the continental stage.
His tenure has been marked by inconsistency and missed chances, culminating in the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2025 tournament.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections are just around the corner and a new administration must take a hard look at the state of the national team.
If Kenya is to make the most of its AFCON 2027 opportunity, it is clear that the current head coach is not the right person to lead the charge.
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08:00 - 17.11.2024
Zimbabwe coach achieves AFCON qualification in three months as Kenya still wait three years into Engin Firat’s tenure
Engin Firat’s reign as Harambee Stars coach is in the spotlight after Zimbabwe's German tactician Michael Nees achieved in three months what the Turkish mentor has not managed in three years.
Firat’s time at the helm has been a tale of unfulfilled promises and frustrating results—exactly what you would expect from a snake oil salesman.
It is time for Kenya to stop buying into false hope and start investing in a future built on accountability, local talent and a coach with the tactical acumen to deliver real results.
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