Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat believes getting six points from their first two AFCON 2025 qualifying group matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia would be a “dream start” in their quest to seal a place at the tournament which will take place in Morocco in December 2025.
Firat and the side flew out to Uganda on Monday to commence preparations for their first match against Zimbabwe at the Nelson Mandela Stadium where they will be hosting their home matches due to the lack of FIFA & CAF approved stadia in the country.
Kenya has faced a myriad of challenges on top of the inability to host matches in their own country. Firat has not had the luxury of having an ideal squad available to him, with most absentees enforced either by injuries to key players, such as Michael Olunga, or lacking a passport in the case of the likes of Zak Vyner, who declared for Kenya.
Although Firat hinted that his side are capable of beating any of the teams in the group, with Cameroon the other team to face, he believes it will not be easy.
“It would be a dream start but I have great respect for my rivals and I know how strong they are,” Firat told the media last Sunday.
“We will do our best. I do not have the best of squads and have not had the best preparations. I have no guarantees.
“I am not the one who makes the show and I will not be sensational with my words, but people should expect a team that will fight until the very last second.”
Last November, Firat revealed the side’s targets ahead of the tournament, ideally targeting not only to make the tournament, but also to qualify for the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
“AFCON looks different because normally you have only four teams in the group and two go up, so therefore the next AFCON 25’ is in my eyes a must (to qualify).
“What I have said to the boys is that they must not just go like it was always, we should also go out of the group.”
“AFCON looks different because normally you have only four teams in the group and two go up, so therefore the next AFCON 25’ is in my eyes a must (to qualify).
“What I have said to the boys is that they must not just go like it was always, we should also go out of the group.”
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