Firat calls for solutions after Harambee Stars' AFCON qualification failure

Harambee Stars' head coach, Engin Firat, harshly assessed Kenyan football following the team's exit from the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The national team's 1-1 draw against Zimbabwe on November 15 at South Africa's Peter Mokaba Stadium sealed their fate, ending their hopes of reaching the continental tournament.

Firat, who was visibly frustrated, was quick to point fingers at the disarray within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), citing poor planning and lack of infrastructure as key factors behind Kenya's failure.

"In Kenya, it's only 'we want, we want, we want.' But by giving what?" he questioned, stressing the structural issues plaguing Kenyan football.

"We have never played a match at home in three years. Show me another nation that has gone through that. We have no fans, no training fields-nothing," he added.

???Engin Firat after missing out on #AFCON2025 qualification:

"In Kenya, it's only we want, we want, we want. By giving what? In three years, we have never played a match at home [in Kenya]; show me another nation that has gone through that. We have no fans, nothing, we have no... pic.twitter.com/XMlnK6UCig - Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) November 16, 2024

Missed Opportunities and Defensive Struggles

The match against Zimbabwe was a crucial tie for Harambee Stars, who needed a win to keep their AFCON ambitions alive. Jonah Ayunga's first goal for Kenya provided a brief moment of hope, but Zimbabwe's disciplined defense and swift counterattacks frustrated the visitors, leaving Kenya unable to secure the much-needed victory. Firat lamented the team's recurring issues in front of goal, a problem that has plagued them throughout the qualifiers.

Despite the disappointing result, Firat stood by his players, praising their fighting spirit but highlighting the uphill battle they faced due to inadequate preparation facilities.

"As long as we don't solve these problems, what would you want to do? Do we change something, federation change? Coach change? What will change at the end? Nothing. There is a reason why the national team did not qualify for the last two AFCONs." Firat remarked.

Firat's criticism extended beyond the team's performance on the pitch. He pointed to the broader issues within Kenyan football, including the lack of a CAF-approved stadium, which forced the team to play its home matches in Uganda.

"We don't even have a proper training field in Kenya," Firat said, highlighting the dire situation. "Things are getting worse. As long as we don't fix these problems, it will take even more years for us to qualify."

The coach's words echoed his earlier declarations, where he had boldly set a qualification for AFCON 2025 as a non-negotiable target. However, the reality has fallen short, with Kenya managing just one win, two draws, and two losses in their five qualifying matches. The Harambee Stars currently sit in third place in Group J, four points behind second-placed Zimbabwe with one game left, effectively ending their campaign.

Firat's candid post-match comments underscore the growing frustration among stakeholders and fans alike. While there was initial optimism surrounding his appointment, the team's struggle in the qualifiers has laid bare the deep-rooted problems within Kenyan football. Firat urged fans to face reality instead of clinging to false hopes.

"But we have to realise what we have and stop dreaming. Things are getting worse. As long as we don't solve these problems then it will take more years. "Why don't we go after the reality that we have in Kenyan football and stop dreaming? Solve the problems," he said.

Kenya's last AFCON appearance was in 2019, where they failed to advance beyond the group stage.