Exclusive: Kenya Will Not Qualify for AFCON in Morocco with Engin Firat in Charge, says Elijah Onsika

Former international Elijah Onsika has challenged Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat to take the blame for the team’s 0-0 draw against Zimbabwe in their group opener of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

Harambee Stars went into the Group J fixture as favourites having not lost to Zimbabwe in the last three meetings in all competitions. The latest clash between the two nations was during the 24th edition of the COSAFA Cup on July 2nd, 2024, where Kenya, who were taking part as a guest team, won 2-0 in South Africa.

Ahead of the game, Firat was missing the services of key players owing to injuries among them lead striker and captain Michael Olunga, who had scored a hat-trick when Kenya beat Zimbabwe 3-1 in a Four Nation tournament held in Malawi in March, defenders Daniel Anyembe, Zak Vyner, midfielder Collins Sichenje, winger Ayub Timbe and striker Masoud Juma.

Firat’s problems were compounded further after defender Johnstone Omurwa, pulled out of the game. The former Moldovia coach dropped regular goalkeeper Patrick Matasi to the bench with Bandari’s Bryne Omondi starting, while the defence revolved around Alphonce Omija, Erick Ouma, Joseph Okumu, and Sylvester Owino.

Dundee United player Richard Odada led the midfield role assisted by Anthony Akumu, Rooney Onyango, Austin Odhiambo while Duke Abuya and Eric Johana took up the striking role. However, Kenya looked a depleted side against the Warriors lacking the finishing power.

Blame Coach Engin Firat for Zimbabwe’s Poor Display

An agitated Onsika questioned Firat’s choice for the striking role saying had the Turkish fielded an outright striker, Kenya should have easily bagged maximum points against the Warriors.

Despite having three strikers at his disposal for the matchday One – St. Mirren forward Jonah Ayunga, FKF Premier League Golden Boot winner Benson Omalla, and John Avire – Firat went for midfielders Abuya and Johana to lead the line, with only Avire coming into the game the 68th minute to replace Johana.

“Kenya was not aggressive, Eric (Ouma) was doing the runs, but no one was there at the centre to finish his crosses, they lacked that spirit of winning and no coordination from mid upfront, we need a serious coach, you can’t call the likes of Jonah (Ayunga) all the way from Europe and bench him,” Onsika told SportsBoom.com.

“Firat is just a cruel coach, who doesn’t understand what he wants. How can he play 90 minutes of football without a striker? We all know Olunga was out (owing to injury), so why bench Benson (Omalla), John (Avire), Jonah (Ayunga)? This was their opportunity to prove what they have in the absence of Olunga, why would he (Firat) call up three strikers and use midfielders instead?”

Onsika continued: “Firat is afraid of losing, he better get a draw than losing but how will this help Kenya? He does not want to take chances, he doesn’t want to play a striker, why use a false number nine when you have three fit strikers on the bench? I am afraid if this is the game plan for the next qualifying matches, then Kenya should forget playing AFCON in Morocco.”

Onsika further faulted Kenya’s technical bench for lacking a Plan B saying they never tried to change their formation of play throughout the game despite realising it was difficult to get past Zimbabwe.

“Our striking force was very blunt and most of the game was played on our side meaning we were afraid of Zimbabwe, we did not want to take them (Zimbabwe) head on, we gave them room to dominate us and never tried to shoot from far.”

Onsika explained why the draw against Zimbabwe will complicate matters for Kenya in the qualification campaign.

"Zimbabwe was a must win game but now we will start to use calculators when the group matches reach the penultimate stage because of our own undoing, we didn’t deserve a draw, good fielding (with players in the squad) could have given us a good result,” offered Onsika.

Kenya Should Stop Over Relying on Michael Olunga

Onsika believes Harambee Stars have put too much faith in Olunga, who plays for Al Duhail SC in the Qatar Stars League, forgetting they have other strikers, who can come in and do the job of scoring goals.

“We over rely too much on Olunga to score goals and forget we have other players who can equally step in. We need to look for a clinical finisher, who can step up when someone like Olunga is missing, the players we have in the squad also need to step up and take responsibility if Olunga is not playing,” said Onsika.

Firat Should Stop Trying Players in Competitive Matches

Onsika sent a passionate appeal to Firat to stop using Harambee Stars as a training base for non-starters and especially fielding them during competitive matches.

“Firat has been here for long (for as long as I can't remember), he has received all the support needed from FKF, the government and even the fans, he should stop these a bit of trying players during competitive matches and have his first eleven team,” said Onsika. “The time of using Harambee Stars to train players is way gone. This is a national team that deserves quality, I don’t say new players should not be accommodated to the squad, no, what I am saying, let us make sure we select the best and stick with them.

“Nowadays, it is even difficult for Kenyans to name their starting XI ahead of any given game because you don’t know what Firat has in store for you. You may think Patrick (Matasi) will start the game, but when the line-up is out, you see another name on the list. If Firat wants to succeed with this team, he should work out to have his first team.”

With Cameroon edging out Namibia 1-0 in the other Group J match, Onsika was asked about Kenya's prospects of getting a win against the Brave Warriors.

“Our game against Zimbabwe was a big joke and if we play like this against Namibia, then they will end up beating us, we will lose and may not even score,” said Onsika.

“How do you field a squad full of midfielders without a striker and expect a positive result? It is not possible and can never work. For us to beat Namibia, we must start an outright striker, we better start Ayunga and maybe introduce Avire in the second half or start Omalla and Ayunga.

“Firat has quality players at his disposal all he needs to do is to use them properly. Remember Cameroon is somewhere waiting for us, we cannot win any match if we play like we did against Zimbabwe, we need to lower our expectations, but if the coach changes tact and fields players in their positions, and goes for the best line-up, then we may have hope of qualifying for the AFCON.”