Engin Firat, the head coach of Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, has resigned after failing to secure qualification for Morocco’s 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The announcement comes amid tensions in Kenyan football, including the departure of long-serving Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Nick Mwendwa, replaced by Hussein Mohammed. Firat confirmed his decision to Flashscore, citing government and stakeholder criticisms as the tipping point.
Firat faced significant challenges during his tenure. Kenya’s AFCON campaign saw the team finish third in Group J behind Cameroon and Zimbabwe. Highlights included a 2-1 win over Namibia but were overshadowed by back-to-back defeats against Cameroon and disappointing draws against Zimbabwe and Namibia. Firat had earlier pinpointed systemic issues, such as lack of infrastructure and home games, as major obstacles to the team’s performance.
The Turkish coach had been under fire from fans, former players, and officials for the team’s underwhelming performance. Elijah Onsika, a former Harambee Stars striker, openly called for Firat’s sacking. Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen hinted at withdrawing government funding for Firat’s salary, signaling a lack of support from the Ministry of Sports. Firat responded by terminating his contract, leaving his future and that of Kenyan football in limbo.
Since taking over in 2021, Firat managed 23 matches, recording seven wins, seven draws, and nine losses. His tenure started disastrously with a 5-0 loss to Mali but included moments of promise, such as winning the Four Nation tournament. Despite flashes of potential, Firat’s reign failed to deliver consistent results, with issues such as goal-scoring inefficiencies and organizational disarray frequently cited as barriers to success.
Hussein Mohammed’s leadership at FKF will now face immediate scrutiny as the federation looks for a new head coach. Firat’s departure is a stark reminder of the systemic issues plaguing Kenyan football, from poor planning to inadequate facilities. Whether Mohammed can steer FKF towards meaningful reform remains to be seen. Meanwhile, fans continue to demand accountability and a clear vision for the future of Kenyan football.
