Firat has heaped praise on Gor Mahia's Rooney Onyango and Elfsborg's Timothy Ouma following their performances against Ivory Coast.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has heaped praise on Timothy Ouma and Rooney Onyango following their impressive performances during Kenya's 0-0 draw against Ivory Coast in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier at the Bingu National Stadium, Malawi on Tuesday afternoon.
Coming off a lackluster 1-1 draw with Burundi, the Harambee Stars were determined to demonstrate their capabilities against the formidable Elephants.
Ouma, who has proven to be a critical player for the team, was influential in the last two matches. Having played as a right winger against Burundi, he adeptly transitioned to the number 10 role in the game against the African champions, demonstrating his tactical flexibility and importance to the team’s strategy.
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His ball retention skills were noteworthy, although there were instances where quicker decision-making could have benefited the team.
Onyango, on the other hand, was a dynamic presence on the right flank, showcasing his desire and stamina. His performance against Ivory Coast was one of the highlights for Kenya, adding to his growing reputation since making his debut under Firat.
Firat was quick to commend both players post-match, highlighting their contributions and his confidence in their abilities.
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“I am the one who identified him and trusted him now to play, and this is what I am doing now especially considering the other players as well that have made their debuts under me,” Firat told the media after the match.
“I never had a problem with them starting. Rooney made his debut under me against Russia, and has become a key player since. I trust these boys and I don’t care [about the stature of the teams we are playing].”
“Whether we are playing the world champions, European champions, or Asian champions, I do not care. My trust in the boys is very high.”
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