Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has expressed one big worry as the side prepares to launch its 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia this September.
Stars jetted out of the country for Kampala on Monday morning in order to acclamatize to the climate in Uganda quicker, considering they will be hosting their home matches there due to a lack of CAF and FIFA-approved stadium to host international matches.
Firat has faced a myriad of challenges in every camp he has taken charge of the team, and one of them is player availability, especially with the dual-citizen players at his disposal.
The Turk will be missing players like Daniel Anyembe, Adam Wilson, Bruce Kamau, Tobias Knost and Zak Vyner, players he has invited to the set up having convinced them to declare their international allegiance to the country despite being dual citizens.
Although Knost and Anyembe already have their situation sorted out, he opted not to call them up, with Anyembe in particular asking for time off to sort out personal issues.
Firat has expressed frustration at the bureaucratic policy of the country that has prevented the likes of Vyner, Wilson and Kamau from getting their Kenyan passport.
“I wanted to invite two new players this September, but in Kenya, it is not simp;lt is not so simple with regards to the passport issue,” Firat told the media last Sunday.
Firat has hinted at having wanted to bring in players from three different countries this summer, something that proved impossible,
“We have a boy in Ireland, another in England and another in Australia. If the boys have Kenyan roots, I thought it would be simple for them to get passports, but now it is not so simple.”
Pulse Sports understands that the player in Ireland is Sligo Rovers striker Wilson Waweru, a striker born to Kenyan parents, but who has been born and raised in Ireland.
The forward has so far found the back of the net six times in 26 league games and is capable of playing across the front three.
Kenya will face Zimbabwe on September 6th before playing Namibia in South Africa three days later.
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