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Harambee Stars had a 2024 to forget under the stewardship of the now-departed Engin Firat. Will 2025 be a better year for the side?
What began as a year full of optimism for Harambee Stars ended up being one of doom and gloom, as the side failed to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations under the stewardship of the now-departed Engin Firat.
At the beginning of the year, the now former Football Kenya Federation boss Nick Mwendwa had pledged that the local based players would be travelling to the USA to take part in a friendly match against Ecuador, and there was plenty of optimism behind it. It however, failed to materialise.
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05:28 - 19.11.2024
Tactical naivety, litany of excuses & more: Why Engin Firat must be held accountable for Harambee Stars' failures
Engin Firat exuded confidence after Kenya topped their AFCON qualification group, sending a warning to Andre Onana and Cameroon, but once results went haywire, he became defensive.
A promising start that fizzled out
The optimism at the beginning of 2024 was palpable. Following a string of high-profile friendlies in 2023 against teams like Qatar and Russia, Kenya looked poised to build on their successes, including a 5-0 victory over Seychelles.
The year began brightly as Harambee Stars clinched the Malawi Four Nations tournament in March, despite being without key striker Masoud Juma. Firat, known for his chest-thumping antic after victories which were few and far between during his tenure, seemed to be charting a course for success. However, cracks began to emerge in June during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Kenya, unable to host games domestically due to stadiums not meeting FIFA and CAF standards, found themselves playing “home” matches in Uganda and South Africa.
A 1-1 draw against Burundi highlighted disjointed performances, exacerbated by last-minute lineup changes caused by the unavailability of dual-eligible players like Tobias Knost and Zak Vyner. While a spirited 0-0 draw against reigning African champions Ivory Coast followed, Firat’s tactics were seen as overly cautious.
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09:30 - 30.12.2024
Arnold Origi on Harambee Stars return, Francis Kimanzi's 'demanding' work-ethic & becoming goalkeeper coach
Arnold Origi is back in the Harambee Stars set up as a goalkeeper trainer as the side prepares for the Mapinduzi Cup
Disaster during 2025 AFCON qualifiers
The AFCON qualifiers started with cautious optimism after a 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe and a 2-1 win over Namibia. However, back-to-back losses to Cameroon—4-1 and 1-0—dented Kenya’s hopes.
Heading into the final stretch, Kenya needed victories against Zimbabwe and Namibia to book their ticket to Morocco. Instead, a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe sealed their fate. Finishing third in their group with just four points, Kenya’s campaign ended in heartbreak.
Firat’s poor tactics, inability to adapt, and the squad’s lack of cohesion were heavily criticized. His resignation in December was met with relief by fans and stakeholders, as it marked the end of a tumultuous tenure where his win rate hovered around 30%. It was always going to be untenable anyway.
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15:20 - 20.12.2024
CAF President Patrice Motsepe gives Kenya stamp of approval ahead of CHAN: 'This is going to be the most succesful tournament in history'
Motsepe has expressed full confidence in Kenya to succesfully co-host the upcoming 2024 CHAN tournament set to take place in 2025 after inspecting Kasarani and Nyayo Stadia on Friday afternoon.
CHAN qualifiers: record new low
If AFCON qualification was disappointing, Kenya’s performance in the CHAN qualifiers bordered on humiliation. A shocking 2-0 loss to South Sudan in Juba and a lackluster 1-1 draw in the return leg underscored the team’s struggles. For a country with continental ambitions, losing to a lower-ranked team highlighted the depth of the crisis.
Lack of home advantage
One of the most glaring issues affecting Kenyan football is the lack of suitable stadiums. Nyayo Stadium and Kasarani, once the pride of Kenyan sports, remain closed for renovations, forcing the team to play “home” matches abroad.
The absence of home support was keenly felt during the AFCON qualifiers. Matches in Uganda and South Africa lacked the passionate Kenyan fanbase that has historically propelled the Stars to victory.
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09:00 - 13.12.2024
KEFWA boss James Situma on how McDonald Mariga's influence at FKF will solve long-standing player welfare issue
Mariga, who strongly criticised FKF under the previous incumbency of Nick Mwendwa for neglecting player welfare issues -including giving national team players a mere 750 shillings a day - is now the Vice President of the federation.
A new dawn under Hussein Mohammed?
The election of Hussein Mohammed as the new Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President in October has sparked hope for a revival. Replacing Nick Mwendwa, whose tenure was marred by allegations of mismanagement, Mohammed has promised to steer Kenyan football in a new direction.
One of his immediate challenges is appointing a permanent Harambee Stars head coach. Francis Kimanzi has returned on an interim basis, preparing the team for the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar, a crucial warm-up for the 2025 CHAN. Reports suggest former Manchester United assistant Benni McCarthy is being considered for the role, raising expectations for a fresh tactical approach.
The road ahead
Kenya’s exemption to participate in the 2025 CHAN as hosts is precarious. Renovations at Nyayo and Kasarani must be completed in time, or the country risks losing hosting rights.
On the field, Harambee Stars must rebuild. With stars like Michael Olunga, Joseph Okumu, and Jonah Ayunga excelling abroad, there is potential to create a formidable team. Integrating younger talent and adopting modern training methods will be critical in narrowing the gap with Africa’s elite.
All is not lost however, as the U-20 side Rising Stars made history by becoming the first-ever Kenyan side of that age group to qualify for the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations under Salim Babu’s stewardship, showing there is alot of hope for the future.
For the women’s side, the U-17 girls became the first ever side to qualify for a World Cup, and they even delivered a sweet victory over Mexico in their final group stage clash in the Dominican Republic, having fallen short against North Korea and England.
With 2025 now upon us, Kenyan football stands at a crossroads. While the disappointments of the past year weigh heavily, the promise of new leadership and a revamped team offers a glimmer of hope. Whether Harambee Stars can rise to the occasion in 2025 will depend on bold decisions, improved infrastructure, and a united vision for the future.
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