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The Harambee Stars coach expressed his displeasure at Kenyan fans who have been pushing for captain Michael Olunga to be dropped in favour of Gor Mahia forward Benson Omala
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has aimed another attack at Kenyans over the push to have Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala included in the national team.
Firat particularly took issue with sentiments made by a section of fans that Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga should be dropped in favour of Omala after he missed a number of clear chances in the last two matches.
While taking the media through videos of what makes Olunga the best player that Kenya have, Firat explained how the Al Duhail striker should not be put in the same conversation with Omala who he terms not ready for the big stage and will only be destroyed further if he is thrown into the deep end early.
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“Who was the top scorer last season? Elvis Rupia, did anyone ask for him? Nobody,” Firat fired back.
“Many people ask what is the criteria and it is simple and even in June I said the same to Benson. I told him; ‘If you believe what these people are writing, I will lose you. You will get lost.’"
“The reason is whenever we have any young boy from the Kenyan league who scores you put him to the stars and you tell him he is ready but they are not. It is not enough, then you are wondering in the last 20 years so many talents are coming out and getting lost.
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11:52 - 17.10.2023
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Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga was the subject of criticism from a section of Kenyans who feel he has not been impressive for the national team in recent matches
“I have a view about a player and how he has to play at international level. International level, a centre forward has to receive the ball with his back to goal, to keep it and dribble, he has to know how to pass. We see it in the English Premier League every week.”
Firat then unleashed a video of Olunga’s pass to Amos Nondi when he scored Kenya’s second goal against Russia, explaining how the striker received the ball in tight space before laying it to his team-mate.
He then showed a clip of Olunga’s last match for Al Duhail and how he worked the central defenders before highlighting some of the shortcomings that make Omala not ripe for international football.
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“This is Benson against Kenya Police and here are his challenges. Dribbling lost, heading lost,” he added.
“These are challenges for all the boys, we cannot destroy them by telling them they are ready. It does not help Benson. He has talent but he has to learn. We are in professional football not social media. As long as he does not learn, he will not make it international.
“I do not understand how someone can compare any player in the Kenyan league with Michael Olunga. We should be happy that we have someone like him.
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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.
“We need to make fans understand that the Kenyan league is not international level. Before you spoil these boys, teach them and it is not just Benson.”
Omala was last called to the national team in June for the four-nations tournament but after being snubbed for games against Qatar, South Sudan and Russia, he has earned a recall for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and Seychelles this month.
Firat, meanwhile, has kept faith with Olunga who last scored for the national team in March, having been impressed by his work rate and he looks set to do the same in the World Cup qualification phase.
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