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In the build up to the game against Iran, Firat claimed that Kenya has never locked horns with a European nation.
In his second stint as the Harambee Stars head coach, Engin Firat has somewhat sounded like a broken record reiterating in most of his pressers about how Kenya is yet to play a European nation.
The Turkish gaffer has always turned his press conferences into a lecture to raise some valid points - depending on which side of the divide you fall under - about the sorry state of football in the country.
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06:31 - 16.10.2023
FOOTBALL Explaining why Kenya staged friendly against FIFA banned Russia
The two nations will lock horns on Monday evening in what will be their first meeting in football ever.
In his recent media duties he has had to turn to a whiteboard to drive his points home or a powerpoint presentation to illustrate his well researched data to back his statements.
Before facing the 2022 FIFA World Cup hosts Qatar, Firat went on a lengthy rant to back his decision of regularly handing call ups to foreign based players to his squad.
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21:00 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Antony ‘Teddy’ Akumu’s rallying message to Kenyans with everything set for Harambee Stars’ crucial friendly against Russia
The former Gor Mahia hero has sent a message to Harambee Stars fans with the side set to face Russia on Monday.
The 53-year-old manager drew comparisons with his fellow opponents in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, Ivory Coast, Burundi, Seychelles, Gabon and Gambia who have handed limited opportunities to their local based talents.
In the build up to the game against Iran, Firat claimed that Kenya has never locked horns with a European nation as he went on to lambaste the quality of opposition that Harambee Stars secures for friendlies.
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19:00 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars: Anyembe ruled out, Timbe doubtful for Kenya’s friendly with Russia
Harambee Stars will be without defender Daniel Anyembe during Monday’s friendly match against Russia while winger Ayub Timbe will need to pass a late fitness test
“Even when I check the history of football here, I saw you have never played against a team from Europe. I am serious…no, never ever. This is part of what we may do this year, I believe, we may play one team (from Europe).
“We have to start somewhere because if we continue the same way then the next 40 years will be the same as the past,” said the Turk.
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11:00 - 15.10.2023
FOOTBALL Namwamba defends Firat over Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala’s Harambee Stars snub
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has come to the defence of Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat after he was accused of ‘favouritism’ for not selecting Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala
Firat deserves plaudits for honouring his end of his bargain and staying true to his word by organising a friendly against 2018 FIFA World Cup hosts Russia set for Monday 16 October.
Contrary to his claims however, this comes 40 years after Harambee Stars played their first and only match against a European nation as Kenya faced Switzerland back in December 1983.
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11:15 - 14.10.2023
FOOTBALL Gor Mahia’s Benson Omala responds to Firat after Harambee Stars snub
Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala has broken his silence following his omission from the Harambee Stars squad despite being the FKF Premier League’s leading scorer
Under the revered head coach Reinhard Fabisch (RIP), Harambee Stars hosted the Swiss National Team at the Mombasa Municipal Stadium in Mombasa.
The German head coach drafted a strong contingent boasting the likes of Mahmoud Abbas in goal, Ambrose Ayoyi, Hussein Kheri, Mahoi Mahila, Wilberforce Mulamba, Bob Ogolla ‘the six million dollar man’.
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08:32 - 13.10.2023
FOOTBALL Firat explains why he excluded Elvis Rupia from Harambee Stars squad for Russia test
Engin Firat has explained why he dropped Elvis Rupia from the squad despite starting him in the previous assignments against Qatar and South Sudan.
With the sweltering heat synonymous with Mombasa, the game had to be delayed for 30 minutes as both teams bought time for the conditions to be favourable.
Switzerland were playing Kenya as part of their last stop in an African tour that had seen them face Ivory Coast and Zimbabwe.
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16:20 - 12.10.2023
FOOTBALL Leicester City rising star sends selection message to Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat
Silko Thomas Otieno, Leicester City's rising star, remains available for a Harambee Stars call-up despite impressive performances in England.
Kenya made a good account of themselves and managed to register a barren draw in the game with the encounter remaining their only clash against a European nation to date.
The number is expected to double when Harambee Stars face a FIFA banned Russia in an international friendly as preparations for their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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