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Nandwa, who coached Harambee Stars to the finals of the 2012 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup, has blasted the side's 'embarrasing' loss to South Sudan in the 2024 CHAN qualifiers
The aftermath of Harambee Stars' 2-0 loss to South Sudan in the first leg of the 2024 CHAN qualifiers has led to sharp criticism, with former national team coach James Nandwa vocal about the disappointing performance.
Nandwa targeted current head coach Engin Firat and his staff for what he described as a "casual approach" to the match, which took place last weekend at Juba Stadium. The defeat has intensified calls from fans for the termination of Firat’s contract as Kenya struggles to regain its footballing stature.
Harambee Stars were widely expected to secure a dominant victory over South Sudan, given the higher caliber of players in the Kenyan domestic league compared to Bright Stars.
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However, the hosts capitalized on their home-ground advantage, leaving Kenya to suffer another blow in their bid to restore confidence after back-to-back losses to Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
With the second leg set for this weekend in Uganda, Harambee Stars must secure a win by a significant margin to advance to the final qualifying round, where they could face either Rwanda or Djibouti.
While Kenya already holds a CHAN tournament spot as one of the host nations for the event scheduled from February 1 to 28, the recent defeat underscores lingering concerns about the team’s overall direction and performance.
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Nandwa did not hold back, expressing his frustration with Firat’s lack of urgency and what he saw as a disconnect from the weight of representing Kenya on an international stage.
He pointed to Firat’s comments questioning the relevance of playing qualifiers as hosts as particularly troubling. According to Nandwa, Firat’s statements failed to recognize the opportunity these matches present to showcase Kenya’s footballing talent.
“It is an embarrassment to lose to South Sudan,” Nandwa told SportsBoom. “Their league is not as vibrant and competitive as ours. Our players are better than theirs, yet they managed to beat us. It is a sign that we are not heading in the right direction. I was disturbed to hear Firat say the qualifiers don’t make sense to him, which is so wrong. This is an opportunity to show what the country has to offer.”
Beyond Firat, Nandwa extended his criticism to the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), blaming it for weak structures that have allowed inconsistent coaching performances. He highlighted FKF's enduring support for Firat despite his struggles, contrasting it with a time when national team coaches faced stricter consequences for poor results.
“During our time, such a loss was enough to get you out of the Stars bench. You couldn’t have the luxury of losing two consecutive matches,” Nandwa remarked. “If you look at how all our national teams are performing, you will realize there is a problem with our structures.”
Nandwa’s comments reflect a broader frustration among Kenyan fans who see the team’s recent struggles as symptomatic of deeper issues within the country's football governance.
As Harambee Stars prepare for their must-win return leg in Uganda, the pressure is on for Firat and his team to deliver a performance that not only saves their CHAN campaign but also reassures fans of Kenya’s competitive future in football.
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