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Firat wanted to invite three dual citizen players based in England, Ireland and Australia this September, but will have to do without them as they are yet to acquire their Kenyan passports.
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has expressed one big worry as the side prepares to launch its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia this September.
Stars jetted out of the country for Kampala on Monday morning in order to acclamatize to the climate in Uganda quicker, considering they will be hosting their home matches there due to a lack of CAF and FIFA-approved stadium to host international matches.
Firat has faced a myriad of challenges in every camp he has taken charge of the team, and one of them is player availability, especially with the dual-citizen players at his disposal.
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20:19 - 31.08.2024
Stars Abroad: Zak Vyner's Bristol City lose to Derby County to headline mixed Saturday for 7 Kenyan footballers in England
Zak Vyner featured prominently at the heart of the Derby County's defence but could not help them avoid defeat to the newly promoted side.
The Turk will be missing players like Daniel Anyembe, Adam Wilson, Bruce Kamau, Tobias Knost and Zak Vyner, players he has invited to the set up having convinced them to declare their international allegiance to the country despite being dual citizens.
Although Knost and Anyembe already have their situation sorted out, he opted not to call them up, with Anyembe in particular asking for time off to sort out personal issues.
Firat has expressed frustration at the bureaucratic policy of the country that has prevented the likes of Vyner, Wilson and Kamau from getting their Kenyan passport.
“I wanted to invite two new players this September, but in Kenya, it is not simp;lt is not so simple with regards to the passport issue,” Firat told the media last Sunday.
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17:00 - 01.04.2024
FOOTBALL Firat, are you following? Sligo Rovers coach waxes lyrical of electric Kenyan striker with 'X Factor'
The 23-year old striker is showing remarkable progress towards stepping up to the plate in the top flight of Irish football
Firat has hinted at having wanted to bring in players from three different countries this summer, something that proved impossible,
“We have a boy in Ireland, another in England and another in Australia. If the boys have Kenyan roots, I thought it would be simple for them to get passports, but now it is not so simple.”
Pulse Sports understands that the player in Ireland is Sligo Rovers striker Wilson Waweru, a striker born to Kenyan parents, but who has been born and raised in Ireland.
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12:00 - 23.05.2024
REVEALED: Former Australia youth international Bruce Kamau approached Harambee Stars to consider calling him up
The Perth Glory speedstar approached the Harambee Stars about a willingness to represent them, having played for the Australia U-23 side on five ocassions.
The forward has so far found the back of the net six times in 26 league games and is capable of playing across the front three.
Kenya will face Zimbabwe on September 6th before playing Namibia in South Africa three days later.
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