Nowhere to hide as Firat's tactical ineptitude exposed in lethargic Harambee Stars show

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat during a training session at Police Sacco Stadium last month. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Harambee Stars' hopes of securing a historic victory against five-time African champions Cameroon were shattered on Friday evening, as tactical missteps from head coach Engin Firat led to a humiliating 4-1 defeat in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers. 

The loss at Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaoundé exposed significant flaws in the Kenyan side’s strategy and players’ selection, raising questions about the team's direction as they seek to qualify for the tournament.

From the outset, Firat's decision to field utility player Amos Nondi as a makeshift right back proved disastrous. 

Nondi, who is not accustomed to defensive duties, struggled to contain Cameroon's attacking threats, particularly Christian Bassogog. 

The tactical gamble backfired almost immediately, culminating in a seventh-minute penalty converted by Cameroon captain Vincent Aboubakar. 

Nondi’s inability to adapt left the Kenyan defence vulnerable, with many of Cameroon’s attacks stemming from his flank.

In fact, Firat left out natural full back Geoffrey Ochieng of Gor Mahia on the bench whilst the experienced Joseph Okumu also watched from the sidelines as he paired youthful Sylvester Owino and returning Daniel Anyembe in the central defence.

Compounding the tactical errors was goalkeeper Patrick Matasi’s woeful performance. After being benched for the previous qualifiers against Zimbabwe, Matasi returned but failed to provide the stability needed in such a high-stakes match. 

His first major blunder came with Cameroon’s second goal, when he fumbled and failed to stop Martin Hongla’s shot, allowing the ball to slip through his fingers and into the net. 

Matasi’s confidence continued to erode, culminating in an embarrassing fourth goal, where he was caught out of position and allowed Christian Bassogog to easily slot the ball into an empty net.

Despite a strong start to the qualifiers, with an unbeaten run that included a barren draw against Zimbabwe and a stunning 2-1 victory over Namibia, Kenya complicated their aspirations with a heavy defeat against a superior Cameroonian side.

Firat’s lineup choices and the overall tactical setup drew criticism from all quarters as players struggled to find their rhythm on the pitch. The midfield lacked cohesion, and the defence appeared disorganized, leading to a barrage of attacks from Cameroon.

Cameroon’s dominance was evident as they capitalised on Kenya’s defensive errors to score the four goals, showcasing the depth and skill of the five-time champions. 

Kenya's only bright spark came from Michael Olunga, who managed to score a consolation goal, but it did little to mask the broader issues plaguing the team.

As the match progressed, it became clear that Firat's tactical decisions had not only cost Kenya the game but also inflicted a psychological blow that could linger in the squad's mindset. 

The decision to play players out of their natural positions, particularly in defence, raised alarms about the team’s preparedness for future matches. The urgency for adjustments has never been clearer, as Kenya now looks ahead to redeem themselves in the return leg in Kampala tomorrow.

Firat must take a hard look at his approach and find a way to realign the team. Fans and analysts alike are calling for a reassessment of strategies, emphasising the need for players to be utilised in their preferred positions to maximise performance. 

The pressure is mounting on Firat as the Harambee Stars strive to bounce back and keep their Afcon qualification hopes alive.

With critical adjustments needed both tactically and in player selection, the upcoming match against Group J leaders presents a crucial opportunity for the Stars to rise from the ashes of this defeat and prove that they can compete on the continental stage.