Football
FKF’s Nick Mwendwa Downplays Engin Firat’s Claims, Calls for Focus Against Ivory Coast
FKF President Nick Mwendwa dismisses Engin Firat's claims about player selection issues in Kenya's World Cup qualifier draw against Burundi. Mwendwa urges focus on the upcoming match against Ivory Coast, emphasizing the team's potential to still qualify
Image Credit: FKF Media
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has dismissed claims by Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat that they were to blame for his failure not to use three players in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Burundi on Friday, June 7.
Harambee Stars dropped vital points in the matchday three contest at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi, despite all football betting sites having them as clear favourites. The Swallows scored a late equaliser courtesy of substitute Abdallah Sudi, who took advantage of a defensive mistake by defender Daniel Anyembe to slot past Patrick Matasi for a 1-1 outcome.
Kenya had taken the lead through Duke Abuya in the 72nd minute, who was set up by Austin Odhiambo to beat the Swallows’ custodian Jonathan Nahimana with his left foot.
Image Credit: FKF Media
Firat Rants on Missing Three Players against Burundi
During his post-match press conference, the Turkish tactician, in a rant which seemed to be directed to the FKF, blamed the absence of three players including Bristol City defender Zak Vyner for the draw.
“We have six players who are injured, but today (Friday) we missed three players who are not injured because of some mistakes,” said a furious Firat. “We made all tactical training with Vyner, if Zak was on the field, we would have won 100 per cent and won 2-0 minimum.”
In what seemed like the attack on FKF, Firat said: “And sometimes people should stop to look on what is going on the field, and everybody around should do their job. God knows if they will be available against Ivory Coast because I learnt here not to speak.
“Things which look so simple can be very difficult in Kenya.”
SportsBoom.com understands, that Vyner alongside defender Tobias Knost of SC Verl in Germany, who made the 25-man travelling squad, did not make their way to Malawi from Kenya for allegedly lacking proper travelling documents.
Asked about Firat’s rant, FKF President Nick Mwendwa downplayed the matter, only asking the coach to focus on beating African champions Ivory Coast in their matchday four fixture at the same venue on Tuesday.
“Let him (Firat) focus and win the next game against Ivory Coast, sometimes coaches are very funny people especially if results don’t go their way,” Mwendwa told SportsBoom.com.
Kenya played Burundi minus key players, who are out injured. The players include winger Ayub Timbe, who plays for Sabail, defenders Joseph Okumu of Reims in French Ligue 1, Erick Ouma, who plays for Ekstraklasa club Rakow Czestochowa and Al-Jabalain FC striker Masoud Juma.
Juma’s absence was a huge blow as he had scored in Kenya’s Group F opening fixtures – a 2-1 defeat against Gabon and a 5-0 win against Seychelles.
Image Credit: FKF Media
Kenya Has Got Only One Coach and it’s Firat
After the Burundi game, former Harambee Stars striker Elijah Onsika questioned the composition of the team’s technical bench saying it was bloated and wondered, who the players could take instructions from.
“There are too many coaches on the bench, around five and all shouting to the players, so whom will they listen to?” Onsika posed a question to SportsBoom.com.
“During our time, we only had two coaches on the touchline, and they could give instructions in phases, but now five coaches or shouting at the players, it is not what it used to be, and I think something is wrong somewhere and needs to change,” added Onsika.
Apart from Firat, others on the technical bench include his assistants Ken Odhiambo, Kariobangi Sharks coach William Muluya and former Gor Mahia goalkeeper Jerim Onyango, who doubles as the team’s keeper trainer.
Queried on the matter, Mwendwa explained Kenya had only one coach in Firat and rubbished the allegations the bench was affecting players’ performances during matches.
“Let us not dwell into such because we all know that Kenya has got one head coach Engin (Firat), the rest is just sideshows, we need to focus ahead and see what needs to be done to help us beat Ivory Coast,” said Mwendwa.
Kenya's Draw Against Burundi Felt Like Defeat
According to Mwendwa, the outcome of the Swallows game left Kenyan players disappointed because it felt like a defeat.
“It was a draw, but the team feels like it was a loss,” said Mwendwa. “The dressing room was silent because the players felt they had lost vital points, it was three points in the bag until we conceded, and it was a painful result.
“We have talked to the players and tried to psyche them up, we don’t want a situation where they will continue to think about the Burundi game, we have a big one coming up against Ivory Coast and that is where our focus is for now, we must do everything possible to get a win,” offered Mwendwa.
On whether Kenya still stands a chance to qualify for their first-ever World Cup, Mwendwa said: “Yes we do, the chance is still there, we have to do our part and beat Ivory Coast, we are not out yet, we have a big chance to make history and the dream (of qualifying) still lives on.”
The draw left Kenya third in the six-team group with four points, five less than leaders Ivory Coast, who beat Gabon 1-0 in the other fixture. The Panthers are second with six points, while Burundi are fourth with the same number of points as Kenya.
The Gambia, who picked their first win under new coach Johnathan McKinstry after hammering Seychelles 5-1 on Saturday, are fifth with three points while the Pirates stay last without a single point.
Dennis is a seasoned journalist in Kenya with over 18 years of experience. Having started his career at Kenya Times Newspaper, Dennis worked for Standard Newspaper for nearly six years as a Sports Writer. At Standard, he was privileged to cover Kenya's national team Harambee Stars outside the country, the biggest of all being the Four Nations tournament in Cairo, Egypt. He also covered the U17 team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.