Why Firat's blame game won't take Kenya back to Afcon finals next year

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat (left) and his assistant William Muluya during their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers Group J first leg match against Zimbabwe at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda on Friday. [Courtesy, Standard]

Kenya’s head coach, Engin Firat, is under fire after the Harambee Stars' uninspiring 0-0 draw against low-ranked Zimbabwe in their opening 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier last week on Friday.

Instead of accepting responsibility for his team’s tactical failings and questionable lineup decisions, Firat shifted blame, criticizing Kenya’s poor sports infrastructure and a lack of support for football development in the country.

The match, held at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda—due to the lack of a Fifa-accredited venue in Kenya—marked a frustrating start to Kenya’s campaign.

The result left the Harambee Stars with only a single point, far from the vital three they needed to boost their hopes of qualifying from a tough Group F that includes African powerhouses Cameroon and Namibia.

Firat’s decisions on the day drew sharp criticism from fans and analysts alike. Despite having three natural strikers—Benson Omalla, Jonah Ayunga, and John Avire—available on the bench, Firat opted to start Duke Abuya and Eric Johana as false nines.

This unorthodox move quickly unraveled, with neither player able to threaten Zimbabwe’s defence or provide a reliable outlet up front.

Johana, typically a midfielder, looked lost in the forward role, often dropping deep into midfield and leaving Kenya without any real attacking presence.

This lack of penetration allowed Zimbabwe to comfortably contain Kenya’s makeshift attack. The absence of captain Michael Olunga, who was sidelined due to injury, only exacerbated the situation, but Firat’s decision not to start one of the available forwards puzzled many.

Firat defended his tactical choices, claiming that his strategy was aimed at exploiting perceived weaknesses in Zimbabwe’s defense.

“Their central defenders were not very fast. They were physical and strong in the air, so we wanted to pass around them and capitalize on their lack of speed,” Firat explained after the match.

“There were moments in the first half where it worked, but not to the extent that I had hoped.”

Despite these justifications, Kenya’s lack of creativity and cutting edge up front remained glaring throughout the game. Firat’s gamble on playing without a traditional striker failed to yield results, leaving many to question why the coach did not adapt sooner.

In his post-match remarks, Firat not only defended his tactics but also directed criticism towards the match officials and Kenya’s broader footballing challenges.

He complained that Kenya was denied a clear penalty when midfielder Austin Odhiambo appeared to be fouled in the box, and suggested that Zimbabwe committed numerous unpunished fouls.

“The referee made it difficult for us. We should have had a penalty, and there were too many fouls against us that went unnoticed,” Firat said, adding to his list of grievances.

Beyond officiating, Firat also took aim at Kenya’s inadequate sporting infrastructure. With no Fifa-accredited stadium in the country, Kenya was forced to play its home fixture in Uganda.

Firat highlighted this as a key factor in the team’s struggles, citing the lack of proper training facilities and support for football development.

And after missing out on 2023 Afcon due to Fifa ban, these qualifications provide an opportunity for Kenya to return to the continental showpiece after being placed in a fairly easy group.

It will be ironic for Firat to blame poor infrastructure if he fails to take Kenya to Morocco next year because apart from Cameroon, the other two opponents are facing the same problems and will play their home matches away from home. Both Namibia and Zimbabwe will host their matches in South Africa.

The draw leaves Kenya in a precarious position in Group F, which also features African heavyweights Cameroon and Namibia.

With only the top two teams advancing to Afcon 2025 in Morocco, the Harambee Stars needed a strong start to bolster their qualifying hopes. Instead, they now face an uphill battle, starting with their next match against Namibia on Tuesday in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A win is crucial if Kenya is to remain in contention for a place in the tournament, but Firat’s tactical decisions and reluctance to accept responsibility have raised concerns about the team’s direction.

The pressure on the Turkish coach is growing, with fans calling for tactical prowess and better team management in the crucial fixtures ahead.

If Firat continues to deflect blame and make tactical missteps, Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for Afcon 2025 may slip away quickly.

Many will be watching to see if he adjusts his approach and takes responsibility for the team’s performance, or if he will persist with his current deflection of responsibility.