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The future of Engin Firat is up in the air in the wake of Kenya's heartbreaking elimination from the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the ex-captain wants Francis Kimanzi to return.
The debate on who should succeed under-fire Harambee Stars Turkish gaffer Engin Firat as head coach has become a hot topic in Kenyan football circles.
The future of Firat is up in the air in the wake of Stars' heartbreaking elimination from the 2025 AFCON qualifiers after poor displays in a group that looked favourable for the Michael Olung-captained side.
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16:08 - 20.11.2024
Defiant Engin Firat hints at hanging onto Harambee Stars job despite AFCON 2025 qualification failiure
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has hinted at clinging on in the job despite failing to get the side to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
The Football Kenya Federation is yet to call their shot on Firat after three years at the helm as the uproar and dissatisfaction hits fever pitch.
Former captain Dennis Oliech is, however, backing Francis Kimanzi because of his proven record.
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05:00 - 20.11.2024
Former Harambee Stars midfielder pushes for football renaissance by 2027
National U20 team have already qualified for the biennial 2025 U20 AFCON and will debut in the competition after coming second in the qualifiers
The former AJ Auxerre striker lauded Kimanzi as one of the most experienced tacticians in the country and says he could be a decent choice for the national team. Kimanzi won the Kenya Premier League title with Mathare United in 2008 and has handled Harambee Stars in three spells.
"Kimanzi is best suited to succeed Firat. We have never had another coach take the team to the rank he did back in 2008. He has stood the test of time and does well in scouting," Oliech told SportsBoom.
Kimanzi is best remembered for guiding Kenya to position 68 on the FIFA log in his first stint with the team in 2008. He returned to the Stars bench beween 2011 and 2012 but was sacked months later following the poor start in the hunt for a ticket in the 2013 AFCON and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.
His third spell was between 2020-2021 but was replaced by Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee. "If he can work with Salim Babu, I am sure the two will scout players and build a team that will take us to the knockout stages of the 2027 AFCON," said Oliech.
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