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Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat wants Kenyans to give his side time as he views their journey as a long-term project that will bear fruit during the AFCON 2027
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has called for patience with his ‘young’ charges after getting off to a bad start in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Stars lost 2-1 to Gabon late in the game after failing to hold on to their early lead in the 40th minute.
Kenya were easily carved open in the second half as they lost their shape and surrendered the initiative to Gabon who took full advantage and the winning margin could have been huge had it not been for some key saves from goalkeeper Patrick Matasi.
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09:36 - 17.11.2023
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The result angered a lot of fans, who took to social media to vent their frustrations at how inconsistent the side’s form has been since Firat took over as head coach.
However, Firat explained how he views the future of the side, claiming that he was not looking at the team’s run as a sprint, but rather a marathon considering the qualifiers run until 2025.
“We have a lot of players playing now who are young, or those ready to play in future who are young, but I guess this team will have its prime at the AFCON [2027] here in Kenya,” Firat said.
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08:33 - 17.11.2023
FOOTBALL Five lessons learned from Harambee Stars’ 2-1 loss to Gabon
Kenya sit at the bottom of Group F following the Gabon loss which offered vital lessons.
“I mean for all the players. This does not mean that we do not have a chance in the World Cup qualifiers, no, but we have to make the right steps.”
Firat claimed that most of Gabon’s players are in their 30s while Kenya’s are yet to peak, saying that the game in 2025 could be a totally different ball game especially for Gabon, while his side will have had the advantage of continuity.
“Gabon for example, will have a different team in ‘25 than they do now because most of their players are 33 and 34, and playing at the top level but won’t be in their prime at 35, 36," he added.
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07:33 - 17.11.2023
FOOTBALL ‘Disband Harambee Stars’ - Angry fans call for changes after Kenya’s defeat to Gabon
Kenyan fans have called for major changes in the wake of Harambee Stars’ loss to Gabon after watching Engin Firat’s men collapse in the second half of their 2026 World Cup qualifier.
“It is a marathon and we will see the outcome. I am not a sprinter. I am not running the first metres and then give up. I am looking at what we can do in the long term.”
Firat’s men have little time to feel sorry about themselves as they face Seychelles away on Monday and will hope for a positive result to avoid getting pegged back further even if still early in the qualifying phase.
Follow our Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more updates.
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