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The former Harambee Stars coach feels Engin Firat should play a more attacking style of football given the kind of resources he has at his disposal.
Former Harambee Stars coach James Nandwa is not impressed by Engin Firat’s defensive approach to games with the latest ending in a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Cameroon.
Harambee Stars were put to the sword by the Indomitable Lions who took a 3-1 lead at halftime before completing the rout 10 minutes after the break in a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Yaounde on Friday.
Firat had opted to pack his midfield in a bid to frustrate Cameroon and hit them on the break with Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Timothy Ouma, and Duke Abuya all starting while captain Olunga was the lone man upfront.
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21:00 - 11.10.2024
Poor Harambee Stars crumble as Cameroon dominate in one-sided AFCON 2025 encounter
Harambee Stars looked out of sorts throughout the match as Cameroon cruised to a 4-1 win on Friday night, to give them an advantage ahead of the second leg encounter.
However, the plan collapsed after just eight minutes when Cameroon broke the deadlock via the penalty spot and it was downhill since then, to the disappointment of Nandwa.
“You have like five strikers and you do not use them, it means you are playing for a draw,” Nandwa, who coached Harambee Stars between 2012 and 2013, told Pulse Sports.
“As coaches, our aim is to utilise all our resources, there is no harm in using two or three strikers. As long as you defend well, you can still score, unlike when you have many midfielders. Football is about taking risks, if you have good players, they can score and we can get an advantage.”
21:40 - 11.10.2024
Harambee Stars player ratings: How did they perform in humbling defeat to Cristian Bassogog-inspired Cameroon?
Harambee Stars were torn apart by a star-studded Cameroon on Friday evening, but how did the players fare?
Harambee Stars have little time to feel sorry as they host the same opponents in Kampala, Uganda on Monday and will need an improved performance to get a positive result.
Nandwa says Firat now has no choice but to play an attacking game or risk another thrashing.
“When we are away, we have to look at what can help us score but now that we will be the home team, he has to play an open game because we need to win and defend at the same time,” added the former Tusker and AFC Leopards coach, who questioned why Firat is not fully utilising the talented players in his squad.
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18:30 - 11.10.2024
Okumu benched, Matasi & Olunga start as Harambee Stars reveal line up for AFCON 2025 qualifying Cameroon clash
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has named his starting line up for their encounter against Cameroon taking place in Yaounde in the AFCON 2025 qualifying first leg encounter.
“We want the coach to give players that confidence. Let him not just talk because he has everything. The players at his disposal, even if it was me working with them, there is a way I can make it work.
“He has the best strikers, best midfielders and you also know they can defend well.”
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