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Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen has opened up about the future of Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat, explaining what he expects to happen in due course.
Engin Firat’s tenure as Harambee Stars coach appears to be coming to an end after Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that he does not expect him to continue in the role.
Firat’s three-year stint in charge of Harambee Stars has not yielded any positive results and calls for his dismissal have grown louder following Kenya’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
It is that failure that Murkomen is pointing to as the reason for disengagement, saying his contract had a clause that allows for a termination if he does not deliver an AFCON ticket to Kenya.
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16:08 - 20.11.2024
Defiant Engin Firat hints at hanging onto Harambee Stars job despite AFCON 2025 qualification failiure
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has hinted at clinging on in the job despite failing to get the side to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.
"I am aware of the agreement between FKF and the coach which stipulates that failure to qualify for AFCON would lead to disengagement. Since the Ministry funded the contract, we will, given the circumstances of our failure to qualify, implement that part of the agreement and cease providing further resources," Murkomen said on Wednesday when queried over the matter.
Murkomen’s sentiments come after Firat said he was waiting for the upcoming Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections to know his fate, hinting at staying if the Doris Petra-Nick Mwendwa ticket carried the day, and leaving if another candidate wins.
“I spoke with president Nick Mwendwa. If he continues, or Doris Petra, so this means his team, then we will sit down and make a programme for the next year,” said Firat after Tuesday’s match, which Kenya managed a goalless draw with Namibia.
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05:20 - 21.11.2024
Kenyan legend backs Francis Kimanzi for Harambee Stars job
The future of Engin Firat is up in the air in the wake of Kenya's heartbreaking elimination from the 2025 AFCON qualifiers and the ex-captain wants Francis Kimanzi to return.
“We have some targets we want to achieve, including a tournament [CHAN] in Nairobi. We are prepared for everything, but it’s all football. First, we need to wait for what will happen in the election. I also have a contract, and that’s the reality.”
However, going by Murkomen’s sentiments, Firat may have left by the time the December 7 FKF polls are held.
One sticky issue over Firat’s reign has been payment of his salary with the tactician complaining twice over not receiving his dues, running into months.
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06:45 - 20.11.2024
Engin Firat’s orchestra that played all the wrong tunes as Harambee Stars AFCON dreams crumbled
Firat’s dream team turned into a comedy band, missing AFCON notes while noisy neighbors Tanzania hit all the right tunes!
The tactician is believed to be on a monthly salary of Ksh1.5 million, on a contract that runs up to March 2026, and it is unclear if the payment is up to date.
Although Murkomen confirmed that only FKF have the express authority to make the big call, the tactician’s dues will have to be cleared before a parting of ways.
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