Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has called on Kenyan football fans to show more support and appreciation for the national team following their vital 2-1 victory over Namibia in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The win, secured at Orlando Stadium in South Africa on Tuesday, propelled Kenya to the top of Group J, and Firat believes it is time for fans to recognize the progress the team has made under his leadership.
The Turkish coach expressed frustration with the criticism he has received, despite the team’s recent successes on the road to AFCON 2025. He emphasized that his efforts to transform Harambee Stars should be met with more support from the fans.
“This is my message to Kenyan fans: Look at the history. Kenya has often struggled in matches like these, especially away from home. Yet, no one criticized previous coaches the way I’ve been criticized. I’ve been leading the team to important victories, and it’s time I received some credit,” Firat stated.
Disappointment in Fan Support
Firat did not hold back in expressing his disappointment over the lack of fan support, particularly when the team plays outside Kenya. He noted that while many fans are quick to voice their complaints, few actively support the team when it matters most.
“I find it frustrating that we don’t have true support. People are quick to criticize, but where are they when the team needs them? During our match against Zimbabwe in Uganda, there were very few Kenyan fans in attendance. If people were serious about supporting Harambee Stars, they would have shown up,” Firat said.
The coach highlighted that genuine support from the fans can boost the players’ morale and push the team to achieve greater heights. He added that if more fans showed up for away games, it could make a significant difference in how the team performs on the field.
Confident Ahead of Cameroon Clash
Firat also addressed the upcoming challenge against five-time African champions Cameroon, stressing that Kenya will not approach the match as underdogs. He expressed confidence that his team can achieve a positive result, despite Cameroon’s strong reputation in African football.
“We are ready for Cameroon. We don’t consider ourselves underdogs. The group is competitive, and anything can happen. I believe we have what it takes to get a result against them. We’ve shown that we can compete, and we’re fully focused on the task ahead,” Firat declared.
Kenya’s win over Namibia was crucial in keeping their qualification hopes alive, and Firat believes his team has the potential to go even further in the qualifiers. He praised the players for their performance against Namibia, especially given the challenges the squad faced with injuries.
“Our performance was impressive, considering the circumstances. We had several key players injured, but the team still delivered. The game plan worked well, except for the goal we conceded late in the match. We also tried to field some of our talented local players, but the Kenyan Premier League needs to prepare them better for these kinds of high-stakes international tournaments,” Firat added.
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Okumu Confident in Team’s Potential
Harambee Stars captain John Okumu echoed Firat’s sentiments and issued a warning to Cameroon ahead of their upcoming AFCON qualifier. Okumu, encouraged by the team’s win over Namibia, expressed his belief that the team can compete with the best in Africa and continue their march toward qualification.
“Our victory against Namibia is proof of the team’s strength. We have talented players, and I’m confident we can go far in this competition. We don’t fear Cameroon or any other team in the group. We’re prepared for a tough battle, but we believe we can get the result we need,” Okumu said.
The Harambee Stars captain added that every team in Group J still has a chance to advance, and the fight for qualification is far from over. However, he remains confident that Kenya can emerge as one of the top teams in the group.
The Road Ahead
Kenya’s victory over Namibia places them at the top of Group J with four points, putting them in a strong position to qualify for AFCON 2025. However, Cameroon, who are just one point behind with a game in hand, remains a formidable opponent. The upcoming doubleheader between Kenya and Cameroon during the international break will likely determine the fate of the group and which teams advance to the tournament in Morocco.
Firat and Okumu both emphasized the importance of continued focus and hard work as they prepare for the crucial matches ahead. With confidence building after their win against Namibia, Harambee Stars are determined to keep their momentum going and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with in African football.
As Kenya prepares for their next challenge, Firat’s call for fan support remains clear. He believes that with the backing of Kenyan supporters, the team can achieve even greater success and make a strong case for their place in AFCON 2025.
