Firat has explained how the Malawi tournament has enabled him to work on some details ahead of their clash against AFCON winners Ivory Coast and Burundi in June.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has explained how the Malawi Four Nations tournament has shaped the team to be ready enough for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June, when they will be playing Ivory Coast and Burundi at home.
Kenya beat Malawi 4-0 in their first game of 2024 courtesy of a brace by captain Michael Olunga, and other superb finishes by Ayub Timbe and John Avire.
Olunga would then bag a hat-trick when they downed Zimbabwe 3-1 to lift the trophy on Tuesday.
06:00 - 06.02.2024
STARS ABROAD Harambee Stars midfielder Richard Odada opens up on failed Inter Milan, Juventus moves despite trialing well
Odada trialed at Inter Milan in 2018 and also had trials at Juventus and Parma.
Now, Firat has revealed how the tournament has helped his charges.
“There are two components we have worked on. One of them is the tactical part, how we go on as a team, develop as a team in tactical matters and second thing, which is important, which players I will have in June,” Firat said.
Firat has revealed that, although all the teams that have participated in the tournament, being Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia, are not full of top class players, playing together for a while and understanding each other’s roles in the team could put them in a good place to try and slay the big giants, including Ivory Coast.
22:00 - 27.03.2024
‘Olunga has more international trophies than Salah’ - Harambee Stars captain earns high praise from fans
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has been lauded for leading from the front as Kenya secured the Four Nations trophy with some claiming he is now better than Salah and Osimhen.
“These teams that are here are not Senegal or Morocco, who have 25 top players, so therefore they depend mostly on having one or two key players and if they are unavailable, it affects these kind of teams a lot," he added.
“If I put all these things together and we are also ready mentally, I think we will have good results.”
Meanwhile, Firat has rallied his charges to be proud of wearing the Harambee Stars jersey, which should be extra motivation in itself.
“Everybody should be honoured to play for the national team and I think that they should not need any extra motivation, it doesn't matter who you play," he said.
14:03 - 25.03.2024
FKFPL AFC Leopards chairman explains how Sh15 million windfall from anniversary celebrations will be used
Shikanda has explained how the club will use the 15 million shillings they earned from the 60th Anniversary celebrations.
Follow our Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more news updates and sports analysis.
Follow our Pulse Sports X account for more news updates and sports analysis.