)
Engin Firat has urged frustrated critics to 'stop dreaming' after Harambee Stars were bundled out of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers following a 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe in Polokwane.
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has delivered a sobering message to Kenyan football fans following the team’s elimination from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
After a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on November 15 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, the 54-year-old tactician candidly acknowledged the shortcomings of the team while commending the players for their spirited display.
)
07:00 - 16.11.2024
Five things learnt from Harambee Stars' frustrating draw with Zimbabwe as Kenya are bundled out of 2025 AFCON qualification
Kenya drew 1-1 with Zimbabwe on Friday night, which locked them out from qualifying for the 2025 continental showpiece
“The game played out as we expected”
The match, which extinguished Kenya’s faint hopes of a return to AFCON, mirrored Firat’s pre-game predictions. “The game played out as we expected,” Firat admitted during the post-match press conference. “Zimbabwe, as we knew, first stayed deep, playing long balls to their fast players on counterattacks.”
While Jonah Ayunga’s first goal in a Harambee Stars jersey offered a glimmer of hope, Zimbabwe’s organized defense and rapid counterattacks ultimately frustrated Kenya. Firat noted the persistent struggles that hindered the team.
“I think both sides gave a big fight, but it’s like a red line for us that we don’t use our goal chances and are also injured like we saw with Joseph Okumu today,” he said.
A familiar problem: scoring goals
Kenya’s inability to capitalise on opportunities has been a recurring theme throughout their qualifying campaign. Firat emphasised the need for a solution to their goal-scoring struggles.
“It’s clear that we have a goal-scoring problem that we need to find a solution to if we are to move up to a higher level,” he explained. “I wish we could have solved the problem better earlier, but we couldn’t change it.”
Despite the outcome, Firat stood by his players, praising their determination. “There is nothing I can say to the boys. They tried everything till the last second. They deserved more. In the end, this is football, and you can’t change everything.”
)
21:00 - 15.11.2024
Harambee Stars eliminated from 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification after draw against Zimbabwe
Disappointment as Harambee Stars failed to secure a vital win against Zimbabwe ending their hopes of Africa Cup of Nations qualification.
Facing fan frustration
Firat acknowledged the disappointment felt by fans but urged them to recognize the limitations of the team. “I can understand the frustration that comes with that back home as we wanted to go there. As I said, there’s nothing I can say about the players who did their best,” he stated.
However, in characteristic bluntness, he added: “But for us maybe we have to realise what we have and stop dreaming. We know about the many times I have had a problem with our football. It’s even getting worse. We need to look at reality and instead of all we want, ask with what. Things on the outside can always change, but our record in this tournament explains everything.”
A broken promise
Firat’s remarks stand in stark contrast to the optimism he expressed a year ago. In November 2023, he had declared that qualifying for AFCON 2025 was non-negotiable.
“AFCON looks different because normally you have only four teams in the group, and two go up, so therefore the next AFCON 25’ is in my eyes a must [to qualify],” he had said during a press conference ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Firat had also set ambitious goals for the team, challenging them not only to qualify but also to progress beyond the group stages, something Kenya has never achieved in its AFCON history.
What’s next for Harambee Stars?
The focus now shifts to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and Kenya’s preparations for co-hosting AFCON 2027. Firat has previously acknowledged the steep challenges in World Cup qualification but had seen AFCON as a more attainable goal.
With mounting criticism of his leadership and tactical approach, Firat faces pressure to turn things around. As Kenya looks to rebuild, the question remains: can Harambee Stars break free from their cycle of underachievement and finally rise to the occasion?
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)