All eyes will be on Harambee Stars head coach, Engin Firat, as the Turkish tactician leads his team into their second Group ‘J’ Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Namibia’s Brave Warriors at Orlando Stadium in South Africa on Tuesday. Having come under heavy scrutiny after Kenya’s opening match against Zimbabwe, Firat will be keen to prove his detractors wrong and get his team back on track for qualification.
The no-nonsense Turkish coach has been the subject of sharp criticism from Kenyan fans, particularly due to his unconventional team selection during the match against Zimbabwe. Despite having several recognized forwards at his disposal, Firat opted to bench all of them, choosing instead to deploy a defender and a winger in the attacking positions. This decision backfired as the team produced a lackluster performance, failing to break down Zimbabwe’s defense and managing only a goalless draw.
Seasoned striker John Avire, as well as last season’s Kenyan Premier League Golden Boot winner, Benson Omalla, were notable absentees from the starting lineup. Both players had to watch from the sidelines as the Harambee Stars struggled offensively at the Mandela National Stadium in Namboole, Uganda. The team’s striking force appeared timid, showing little ambition to penetrate the opposition’s defense, leaving Kenyan fans frustrated by the lack of cutting edge up front.
In response to the criticism, Firat defended his selection choices, asserting that only players who were both mentally and physically prepared for the task were included in the lineup. “Everyone who played deserved it,” he stated. “Competing at this level requires a lot of mental strength. It’s not just about talent, but also about being mentally ready for the pressure and expectations that come with such games.”
Firat’s philosophy emphasizes not only skill but also the psychological readiness of players to handle high-stakes matches, a point he reiterated as the key reason behind his selection choices. While many Kenyan fans expected the best strikers to take the field, Firat’s approach suggests that he values a holistic balance between tactical roles, mental fortitude, and physical condition. His critics, however, believe that leaving out top forwards like Avire and Omalla might have cost Kenya valuable points.
Despite the slow start to their AFCON qualification campaign, Firat remains confident in his team’s ability to turn things around. Speaking after the draw with Zimbabwe, he expressed optimism about Kenya’s chances in the next game against Namibia. Firat’s confidence was bolstered by Namibia’s recent 3-1 loss to Cameroon on Saturday, a result that keeps Kenya’s qualification hopes alive. Cameroon now tops the group with three points, while Kenya and Zimbabwe share one point each following their stalemate.
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Looking ahead to the clash with Namibia, Firat predicted that the Brave Warriors would likely adopt a more offensive approach after their defeat to Cameroon. “Namibia will likely play more attacking football after losing to Cameroon, which could work in our favor,” he remarked. “We plan to absorb their pressure and hit them on the counter. Our strategy will be to sit back, defend well, and exploit the spaces they leave behind.”
However, Firat also highlighted the challenges Kenya faces with injuries, which may impact the team’s preparations for the Namibia game. Alphonse Omija, one of the key players in the squad, sustained an injury during the Zimbabwe match, and left-back Eric Ouma was also forced to exit the game early due to injury concerns. Firat indicated that the medical team would need to assess these players before determining whether additional call-ups would be necessary to reinforce the squad.
“I always have a long list of injured players,” Firat commented. “In our first match, Omija got injured, and Ouma couldn’t finish the game. We’ll have to trust other players if needed, but let’s wait and see what the medical department says. It will be difficult if we lose more than half of the team.”
As the match against Namibia approaches, Firat’s focus will be on finding the right balance between defense and attack, while also managing the fitness levels of his players. A victory would put Kenya in a strong position to challenge for qualification, while another setback could increase the pressure on the Turkish coach, whose decisions have already divided opinion among fans.
For Kenya, the Namibia clash represents not only a chance to earn vital points but also an opportunity for Firat to regain the trust of supporters who have begun to question his methods. With Cameroon leading the group, every point matters, and Kenya will need a much-improved performance to keep their AFCON dream alive.
As Kenyan fans eagerly await the match, all eyes will indeed be on Firat, hoping that his tactical gamble pays off and that the Harambee Stars rise to the occasion in what promises to be a pivotal fixture in their qualification campaign.
