Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has laid out his strategy and priorities as Kenya prepares to kick off their campaign to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Drawn into Group J alongside Zimbabwe, Cameroon, and Namibia, the team faces a challenging road ahead, beginning with their first two matches this September.
Kenya’s campaign will start on September 6 with a “home” game against Zimbabwe, though the match will be held in Uganda due to Kenyan stadia failing to meet the required standards. The team will then travel to South Africa to take on Namibia in their second match on September 10.
Firat has faced numerous challenges in the lead-up to these crucial fixtures. Injuries have sidelined several key players, making it difficult for him to maintain a settled squad.
Additionally, some of the players he successfully convinced to switch allegiances, including Zak Vyner, are still awaiting passport clearance to represent Kenya. Despite these setbacks, Firat remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
“The boys who are here will fight every second, and we will try our best. It is six matches and not just two, so we hope that in November, we will have the whole squad together—you never know,” Firat stated confidently during a media briefing before their training session at the Police Sacco Stadium in South C on Sunday.
Firat emphasized the importance of the entire qualification process, stressing that while the first two games are critical, the focus should be on accumulating points across all six matches.
He explained that avoiding defeat in the initial matches would be crucial, as every point could make the difference in securing a top-two finish in the group, which is necessary to qualify for the tournament.
“The most important thing is the points we will have by the last match. Sometimes it is important not to lose. All teams are close to each other and have strong squads, so if we do not lose, the rival will not get three points,” Firat explained, highlighting the tactical approach his team will adopt.
Firat is optimistic about Kenya’s chances of qualifying for AFCON 2025, especially if they can remain in contention by November.
“If everything is in our hands in November, then we will be in a good way because this is what we want to do, and we are optimistic we will be at AFCON,” he added.
As Kenya embarks on this challenging journey, Firat’s clear priorities and tactical mindset will be pivotal in guiding the Harambee Stars back to the continental stage for the first time since 2019.
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