FKF Told to Book Firat on Next Available Flight After Harambee Stars Face Namibia

AFC Leopards legend Peter Lichungu has sensationally told Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to consider booking, Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat, a direct flight to Turkey after the final 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match.

Stars will conclude their qualifier matches on Tuesday with a clash against Namibia at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane, South Africa.

Kenya, unsuccessfully sought a ticket to next year's AFCON finals in Morocco as Cameroon and Zimbabwe have already sealed the two Group J slots, with a match to spare.

The failed qualification bid has seen more stakeholders call for the disbandment of the national team's technical bench, with Lichungu being the latest to make his stand known.

NO NEED FOR FIRAT TO RETURN TO KENYA
While he maintains that his take is not xenophobic in any nature, Lichungu says Firat should be booked into the next available flight to Turkey after the clash against Namibia.

Lichungu, told FKF to consider sacking Firat for his failure to steer the team to the 2025 AFCON despite the support and the fact that the team was in a relatively easy group.

He argued that Firat was drawing a big salary and enjoying support and patience yet his record in competitive matches was falling way below the expectations.

Reports indicate that the former Moldova national team head coach pockets in excess of a million shillings in monthly salary. Stars have won a paltry three out of the 15 competitive matches under Firat, who was hired in September 2021 to succeed Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee.

"There is no need for him to jet to Nairobi. The game against Namibia should be his last. Afterward, FKF should book him a flight to Turkey. We cannot be paying a coach millions yet he is not delivering," said Lichungu in a telephone interview with SportsBoom.com.

HIRE LOCAL COACH
Lichungu backed some of his fellow legends, who have openly called for the sacking of Firat and a local coach handed the mandate to lead the team.

The former Motcom FC player criticised FKF for listing coaching courses as their biggest success since coming to office yet they couldn't trust the coaches they have tutored with the team.

He also slammed the national office for extending Firat's contract despite his poor record since succeeding Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee. Reports indicate that Firat, who joined on a two-month-long contract, has a three-year contract with FKF as his deal was extended last year.

Lichungu, while advocating for a local coach to succeed Firat, called on FKF to consider having a legend on the technical bench for coaching and advisory purposes.

“I will always root for a local coach to handle the team. We have very experienced local coaches, who are good enough to take us to the next level. I am sure one of the legends, who understands what it means to represent the country can do better than some of the foreign coaches. We only need to give them the chance and support," he opened up. 

DELEGATES SHOULD SAVE DAY NEXT MONTH
The Green Commandos product, further, suggested that the best way for the country to regain its past football glory is by delegates making the right choice in the December polls.

Lichungu alleged that incumbents had proven their inability to manage football and shouldn't find favour from the delegates in the much-awaited exercise.

The former player appeared to lean towards Sammy 'Kempes' Owino owing to the fact that he is considered a Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars legend. Besides that, he has experience in football management as he has managed the AYSES Academy in Texas for years.

"I plead with the delegates to make the right choice and put the interest of the game first. We haven't made much progress in the last eight and can't afford to give the mandate to individuals who have proven that they are not the right people for the job.

"We have tried people who have not played football seriously and have failed us. I hope the only ex-international on the ballot will be considered," he claimed. 

STRENGTHEN MASHEMEJIS
At the same time, Lichungu called for all relevant football stakeholders to strive in making the country's biggest clubs vibrant and financially sound.

Lichungu observed that both Ingwe and Gor Mahia had stood the test of time and have always had players in the national team. He said Stars, domestic leagues and the country will stand to benefit if the two clubs are afforded a more conducive environment to do business.

"We can't talk about Kenyan football without mentioning the two biggest clubs. Over the years, I have observed the national office try to fight the two clubs which is wrong.

"The value of the local league will go up if the two teams improve in terms of management and on the pitch. The national team will also benefit and the country will get something through sports tourism," he added.