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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.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars were officially eliminated from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, following a lackluster 1-1 draw with Zimbabwe at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa last Friday.
The result means Kenya will finish third in Group J, rendering their final fixture against Namibia a mere formality. Their exit is a culimination of a number of mishaps that have rocked their camp and missteps from coach Engin Firat.
Firat’s Inconsistent Narrative
Since his appointment in 2021, Firat has consistently avoided accountability when things go awry, instead pointing to Kenya’s broader footballing issues. After the Zimbabwe draw, his comments once again placed the blame on structural challenges:
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11:30 - 18.11.2024
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“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,” he stated.
While these issues are real—Kenya’s lack of proper training facilities and stadiums is well-documented—Firat’s remarks reflect a pattern of excusing poor performances rather than owning up to tactical missteps.
Contrast this with his demeanor after positive results, such as the 2-1 victory over Namibia earlier in the campaign. Firat praised his team’s spirit, saying,“Do you think we are easy to play against? Cameroon should think about how they want to crack us… The boys are unbeaten this year… This is only the start.”
This Jekyll-and-Hyde approach erodes confidence in his leadership. When the team wins, he is quick to claim credit, but after setbacks, he shifts the focus to systemic challenges.
Tactical Missteps & Questionable Decisions
Firat’s tactical decisions have also raised eyebrows. Despite frequent calls for a settled lineup, he has consistently chopped and changed his starting XI.
Against Cameroon in Yaoundé, he benched experienced defenders Joseph Okumu and Johnstone Omurwa, opting for the untested pair of Daniel Anyembe and Sylvester Owino. In goal, Byrne Omondi, who had impressed in September, was dropped for Patrick Matasi, whose costly errors contributed to a humiliating 4-1 loss.
His attacking setup against Zimbabwe was similarly baffling. With Benson Omala, Jonah Ayunga, and John Avire available, Firat opted for twin false nines, deploying Eric Johana Omondi and Duke Abuya in unfamiliar roles. This left Kenya’s attack disjointed and unthreatening.
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06:15 - 18.11.2024
Engin Firat: The grand promiser left searching for answers with Harambee Stars
Kenyan dreams were shattered as Engin Firat’s false promises left Harambee Stars broken, missing AFCON 2025 and hope itself.
Firat’s reluctance to field a consistent starting eleven is another issue that has held the team back.
The only part of his team where he has consistently fielded the same players is in midfield, with Richard Odada and Anthony ‘Teddy’ Akumu his preferred partnership at the base.
The rest has been a constant theme, chopping and changing. It was puzzling why he dropped John Avire and Duke Abuya for the clash against Zimbabwe after their good performances despite the 1-0 loss to Cameroon in Uganda in October.
Avire would have allowed the side to play with more aggression given his desire to push higher up, while Abuya would have been the creative hub who makes good off-the-ball-runs.
Dropping proven performers like the affomentioned against Zimbabwe undermined the team’s potential that day. These are tactical errors that have nothing to do with Kenya’s lack of infrastructure.
Broken Promises
Firat’s own words should hold him accountable. Ahead of the qualifiers, he declared that making it to 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).”
Yet, when Kenya fell short, he was quick to downplay the significance of the failure, once again highlighting systemic issues rather than his own shortcomings.
Kenya’s football challenges are undeniable. The lack of world-class stadiums, inadequate player development pathways, and administrative wrangles have stifled the nation’s potential. However, these are not excuses for Firat’s tactical naivety and inconsistent team selections.
Moreover, the government is making strides to address these issues, with preparations underway to co-host the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) and 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Firat, therefore, has no excuse not to deliver results on the pitch.
The Way Forward
Kenya deserves a coach who not only understands the structural challenges but also accepts responsibility for results and works tactically within those constraints. Engin Firat must be held accountable for his words and actions. The narrative of blaming external factors while failing to address internal issues within the team must end.
If Harambee Stars are to rise to the occasion in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers or co-hosted 2027 AFCON, Kenya needs a leader who can inspire confidence, own up to mistakes, and deliver consistent performances. Firat’s time to show he can be that leader is running out.
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