Why Engin Firat was not the right man for Harambee Stars

Harambee Stars Coach Engin Firat during the unveiling of a new national team Harambee Stars' partner, Mozzart Bet and team training for 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers return match against Mali at the Nyayo National stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

In the heart of every Kenyan football fan lies a well of hope, a yearning to see the national team Harambee Stars rise to prominence on the continental stage.

But that hope has been dashed repeatedly under Turkish tactician Engin Firat, whose tenure has become synonymous with missed opportunities and unmet expectations.

While neighbours Uganda and Tanzania are preparing for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco, Kenya is left grappling with frustration, a failing football system, and a coach who seems more adept at pointing fingers than solving problems.

When FKF President Nick Mwendwa unveiled him in 2021, he painted a picture of a seasoned tactician ready to propel Kenya to greatness.

Mwendwa lauded him as the man to guide Kenya to the World Cup, describing him as a "top coach" who had the experience to handle the team.

However, Firat’s previous stint with Moldova, where he failed to win a single match across 11 games, should have raised red flags.

Firat’s tenure with Harambee Stars has been far from stellar. Over 23 matches, he has managed just seven wins, seven draws, and nine losses—a win rate of barely 30%.

More damning is the fact that only three of these victories came in competitive tournaments, all against lowly-ranked opponents: Seychelles (5-0), Namibia (2-1), and Rwanda (2-1).

This uninspiring record begs the question: why was Firat appointed in the first place?

In his three years in charge, Firat has now overseen three failed campaigns for major tournaments: the 2022 Fifa World Cup, the 2023 Afcon (albeit under the shadow of a FIFA ban), and now the 2025 AFCON.

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat during teams training at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi. [Stafford Ondego,Standard]

The Afcon 2025 qualifiers: A case study in failure

The 2025 Afcon qualifiers offered a glimmer of hope for Kenyans. Drawn into Group J alongside Cameroon, Namibia, and Zimbabwe, the Harambee Stars were expected to compete for a top-two finish.

Firat's campaign started with a lackluster 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe, followed by a morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Namibia.

Just when optimism seemed to be building, Kenya was dealt crushing blows by Cameroon, losing 4-1 and 1-0 in back-to-back matches.

Heading into the final stretch, Kenya needed victories against Zimbabwe and Namibia to secure a ticket to Morocco.

Instead, a 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe extinguished those hopes, leaving the Stars in third place with four points and one game remaining.

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe, also facing internal football challenges, are second in the group, showing that Kenya's excuses may not hold water.

Firat’s post-match interviews have become predictable—long on blame and short on accountability.

After the 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe, he lambasted the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for poor planning and infrastructure issues, stating, “We don’t even have a proper training field in Kenya.”

He also criticised the lack of a CAF-approved stadium, which forced Kenya to play its home games in Uganda, and questioned the football culture in Kenya, claiming, “It’s only ‘we want, we want.’ But by giving what?”

While these issues are undeniably significant, Firat's inability to address the team’s on-pitch weaknesses has made his critiques ring hollow.

For a coach whose mandate was to guide Kenya to major tournaments, failing to deliver on that promise while deflecting blame raises questions about his suitability for the role.

Kenya’s performance under Firat has been riddled with inconsistencies. Harambee Stars have failed to build a coherent playing style or demonstrate tactical flexibility.

Against stronger teams like Cameroon, Kenya’s defensive frailties were exposed, while the inability to break down lower-ranked sides like Zimbabwe highlighted a lack of attacking creativity.

Additionally, Firat’s squad selections and substitutions have often baffled fans and pundits alike. Promising local talents have been overlooked in favour of underperforming foreign-based players, while key moments in games have been marred by questionable tactical decisions.

New Harambee Stars Coach Engin Firat and FkF President Nick Mwendwa at a press conference in Nairobi in 2019. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya’s decline under Firat

Firat’s tenure has coincided with a period of stagnation for Kenyan football. Harambee Stars have not played a home match in three years due to the lack of a CAF-approved stadium.

This situation, while outside Firat’s control, has contributed to a sense of disconnection between the team and its fans. Meanwhile, Kenya’s Fifa ranking has fallen, and the team’s failure to qualify for major tournaments has further eroded morale.

The statistics tell a damning story. In competitive matches, Firat’s win rate is a mere 13% (three wins in 23 games).

By contrast, Kenya’s neighbours Tanzania and Uganda have secured back-to-back Afcon qualifications, proving that success is achievable with the right leadership and structures.

As Kenya turns its focus to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the question remains: Is Firat the right man for the job?

His defenders may argue that the systemic issues in Kenyan football are the real culprits, but history shows that a capable coach can transcend such challenges.

For example, Milutin "Micho" Sredojević led Uganda to their first Afcon in 38 years in 2017, despite facing similar infrastructural hurdles.

While the systemic issues within Kenyan football are undeniable, his inability to deliver results on the pitch makes it clear that he is not the right man to lead Kenya to the next level.

As the nation prepares for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the FKF must make a bold decision: to part ways with Firat and bring in a coach who can inspire the team, unify the nation, and restore the Harambee Stars’ glory.

For the fans, the pain of failure lingers, but so does the hope that with the right changes, the Harambee Stars can finally shine on the world stage.