Firat - What Kenya must do to raise chance of qualifying for 2026 World Cup

Engin Firat (C) has a word with Benson Omala (L) and Moses Shummah (R) in a past training session.

Firat - What Kenya must do to raise chance of qualifying for 2026 World Cup

Mark Kinyanjui 15:00 - 17.07.2023

"These are small details that must be addressed going into the qualifiers otherwise Kenya are not favorites," Firat said.

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has challenged the Football Kenya Federation to adhere to two crucial things if they are to stand a chance of making Harambee Stars qualify for its maiden World Cup in 2026.

Kenya was put in a tricky qualifying group that features Ivory Coast and a tricky Gambia side that have placed an emphasis on youth development in recent times.

The outspoken coach said that with proper planning, Kenya can make history, but its “chances are very little” unless the federation does two crucial things to realize the dream.

"I have seen the draw, it is an open group which if we plan well then we can create something out of it but our chances are very little," Firat told People Daily.

 "The focus should be on our organization, are we prepared to plan properly and get the best out of the players? Are we ready to sort out our financial problems?

"These are small details that must be addressed going into the qualifiers otherwise Kenya are not favorites, but what we will strive to do (during the qualifiers) is make history by reaching the finals for the first time.”

Firat has promised that alongside his technical bench, they will “try their best” to make history but has refused to “give guarantees”.

"We will make sure we try our best, but I don’t want to guarantee anything for now. Let us wait and see how we start preparations for the qualifiers and thereafter, I can predict what is in store for us."

The first match of the two-legged qualifiers will be played between November 13 and 21 with the winners of each group directly qualifying for the tournament. 

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