Firat's tactics under scrutiny as Harambee Stars seek redemption against Namibia

The spotlight will be firmly on Harambee Stars head coach, Engin Firat, as his team prepares to face Namibia's Brave Warriors in their second Group J Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at Orlando Stadium, South Africa, on Tuesday, September 10.

Firat's tactics and team selection came under intense scrutiny following a goalless draw against Zimbabwe in their opening match last Friday.

Kenyan fans were particularly incensed by Firat’s decision to bench all his strikers, including seasoned forward John Avire and last season's Kenyan Premier League top scorer Benson Omalla. Instead, Firat deployed defender Eric Ouma and winger Eric Johanna in forward positions, a strategy that did little to trouble Zimbabwe's defence in a lacklustre 0-0 draw at Uganda's Mandela National Stadium.

Despite the criticism, the Turkish manager defended his selection choices, stressing that only physically and mentally prepared players were given a chance to play.

"Everyone who featured in the match deserved it. One requires a great deal of mental fortitude to deliver at this level of competition," he said.

Firat is optimistic that Harambee Stars will recover from their slow start and bounce back strongly against Namibia. His confidence has been bolstered by Namibia's loss to Cameroon in their opening fixture, which kept Kenya’s AFCON hopes alive.

"Namibia will play more offensively after losing to Cameroon, making everything easier for us. We intend to sit back and hit them on the counter," Firat said, as quoted by The Star, hinting at a tactical shift for the upcoming encounter.

The injury situation in his camp remains a concern, with several key players sidelined.

He also hinted that further call-ups may be necessary to fill the squad's gaps depending on the medical department's assessment.

Harambee Stars’ barren draw against Zimbabwe left them with just one point, putting pressure on the team to secure a win in their next fixture to keep their qualification hopes alive. Cameroon leads the group with three points, while Kenya and Zimbabwe are tied with one each.

Kenya’s attacking struggles were glaring throughout the Zimbabwe clash. Despite a few promising build-up plays, they failed to create meaningful chances, leaving Zimbabwe’s goalkeeper, Washington Arubi, largely untested. The team lacked cutting-edge finishing without star striker and captain Michael Olunga, who was sidelined due to injury.

While goalkeeper Bryne Odhiambo pulled off a series of crucial saves to keep Kenya in the game, Zimbabwe looked more dangerous and nearly snatched victory.

With Cameroon also in the group, Kenya cannot afford any further slip-ups if they are to book their spot at the 2025 Afcon finals in Morocco.