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On Saturday, the changes at Kenya’s football federation raised questions about Engin Fırat’s future amid World Cup 'hopes'.
On Saturday evening, Kenya witnessed a monumental shift at the helm of its football federation as a new office was elected amidst growing calls for a managerial overhaul.
The change comes at a turbulent time for the Harambee Stars, who are still licking their wounds after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
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20:50 - 07.12.2024
BREAKING: Hussein Mohammed clinches FKF Presidential seat in overwhelming second round victory
Otieno conceded defeat as the second round of the presidential election was going on, rendering the result a formality, and it now means Hussein Mohammed will be the new FKF President.
The timing of the election, coupled with persistent rumors of head coach Engin Fırat’s potential exit, has led many to speculate: could his recent candid comments about Kenya’s World Cup qualification aspirations be his parting shot?
Fırat, a Turkish coach who has been at the helm since 2021, has faced increasing pressure following the Harambee Stars’ underwhelming performance in the AFCON qualifiers, where they finished third behind Cameroon and Zimbabwe.
Despite his contract being extended in 2023, his future has been uncertain, especially with the new leadership at the federation, which has yet to make a definitive stance on his position.
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18:47 - 07.12.2024
FKF Elections: AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda and Murang'a Seal boss Robert Macharia among newly-elected NEC members
AFC Leopards Chairman Dan Shikanda is the new Nairobi Region National Executive Comitee (NEC) member, while Murang'a Seal boss Robert Macharia has been elected the Central Region representative.
When asked about Kenya’s chances in the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Fırat offered a surprisingly candid assessment, which some may interpret as a swipe at the expectations placed on him.
“First, we have the Africa Nations Championship in February, which is our immediate focus. After that we move to the World Cup qualifiers,” Fırat told SportsBoom.
“Being in a group with Cote d’Ivoire, the African champions, means aiming for first place isn’t realistic. If I spoke differently, I’d be fooling myself. Our realistic goal is to compete for second place. Even that’s challenging against teams like Gambia and Gabon.”
Could this stark admission be a subtle resignation to his fate? After all, the new federation officials, many of whom have made it clear that the national team’s recent struggles are unacceptable, may view Fırat’s outlook as too defeatist.
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16:03 - 07.12.2024
AFC Leopards and Kakamega Homeboyz share Ingo derby spoils in hard-fought stalemate
Francis Baraza's coached side failed to secure victory in the Ingo Derby despite showcasing resilience and skill in a hard-fought encounter.
Kenya’s football fans, who have grown weary of the team’s lackluster performances, are particularly vocal about their frustration with the coach’s tactics and strategies.
Calls for his sacking have been heard regularly, and with the fresh faces now running the federation, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that Fırat might be shown the door.
“But if we have all our players available and finally get to play at home—something I haven’t experienced since taking over—it could make a huge difference. Playing at home is incredibly important in African football,” Fırat added, a hopeful tone creeping into his voice despite the realism of his earlier statements.
There is no doubt that Fırat has faced immense challenges since his appointment.
His early tenure saw a glimmer of hope as the team showed promise in some fixtures, but the failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON was a major setback.
The pressure is now on for him to deliver a solid performance in the World Cup qualifiers, where Kenya must face off against heavyweights like Cote d'Ivoire, Gabon and Gambia.
Some fans and pundits are already calling for change, arguing that the failure to qualify for AFCON should mark the end of Fırat's reign.
Fırat, however, has made it clear that he remains committed to his role, even as the winds of change sweep through the federation.
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11:42 - 07.12.2024
Kenya forms multi-agency team to oversee CHAN 2024 & AFCON 2027 preparations amid fears of losing hosting rights
Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen has put together a team to steer Kenya’s preparations for CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 amid concerns over the country’s readiness.
He may be ready for the challenge ahead, but with the new leadership now in place, the next few months could determine whether this is his final chapter with the Harambee Stars or simply the calm before the storm.
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