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Firat is worried that the lack of FIFA-approved stadia could jeopardize Harambee Stars' campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has expressed belief Kenya is capable of handling top teams, including Africa Cup of Nations holders Ivory Coast when they meet each other in June if they can “avoid doing things at the last minute”.
Firat expressed doubts regarding Kenya's readiness to host the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at home in June, with Nyayo Stadium seemingly the only stadium that could realistically be used for the games.
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07:00 - 22.03.2024
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat erupted in fury after unexpected night visit before Malawi departure
Harambee Stars' preparations for Malawi tournament were disrupted on Wednesday leaving Coach Engin Firat fuming due to an unexpected late-night interruption at their camp.
However, it is not a CAF or FIFA-approved stadium, potentially hindering Kenya's campaign to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Firat voiced his frustrations, highlighting the challenges posed by the absence of essential infrastructure for football development.
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06:00 - 20.03.2024
FOOTBALL Ex-Brighton striker aims to make Kenyan dad proud with maiden Harambee Stars cap
Ayunga aims to dedicate his maiden Harambee Stars cap at the upcoming Malawi Four Nations tournament to his Kenyan father, who left to settle in England while the striker was still an infant.
"The President said that the stadium will be ready by June when we play our World Cup qualifiers, but I don’t know how that will be, I remain hopeful," Firat remarked, underscoring the critical role of proper facilities in advancing Kenya's football aspirations.
Firat lamented the systemic shortcomings that hinder football progress in Kenya, noting the disparity between the country's abundant talent and the lack of necessary infrastructure and youth development structures.
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12:40 - 20.03.2024
FOOTBALL Why Michael Olunga not worried over Harambee Stars starting berth even as Firat drafts three potent strikers
John Avire, Benson Omala and ex-Brighton striker Jonah Ayunga have been called up to the latest Harambee Stars squad , but Olunga is not worried about the potent competition for the center forward role
Despite the wealth of talented players, Firat stressed that systemic deficiencies persist, posing obstacles to Kenya's footballing ambitions.
“Everything happens by luck. When somebody asks me about the capacity of Kenyan football, I don’t know. The reason why I don’t know is that so many things are missing starting with fields and youth development structures, yet we have good players."
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18:39 - 21.03.2024
FOOTBALL Aboud Omar responds after being dismissed from Harambee Stars camp
Aboud Omar has posted a defiant Instagram message after a clash with Eric Johana that led to their removal from Harambee Stars camp.
The closure of the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani for upgrades in preparation for AFCON 2027, coupled with the insufficient renovation of Nyayo Stadium to meet FIFA standards for category A matches, further compounds the challenges facing the national team.
However, Firat remains cautiously optimistic about Kenya's chances against Ivory Coast, provided adequate preparations are undertaken. He emphasized the importance of meticulous planning and early preparations to instill confidence in the team and effectively compete against formidable opponents.
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13:30 - 20.03.2024
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars bring in Simiti from Gor Mahia to plug Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma hole
Ochieng' has been drafted in as a replacement for Marcelo, who is currently nursing a four-week injury.
"We just need to avoid doing things at the last minute. If we prepare well, we build the confidence that we need, and we can comfortably handle top teams, including Ivory Coast," Firat asserted, highlighting the potential for success with proper planning and execution.
As Kenya navigates the complexities of football development and infrastructure improvements, Firat's insights underscore the importance of addressing systemic issues to unlock the full potential of Kenyan football on the international stage.
Follow our Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more updates.
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