Oliech wants Harambee Stars bench disbanded, local coach hired if Kenya misses AFCON ticket

Harambee Stars legend Dennis Oliech has boldly proposed the disbandment of the technical bench and the subsequent hiring of a local coach if the team fails to punch a ticket to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals.

Stars need to win the remaining matches against Namibia and Zimbabwe so as to confirm their place in the finals slated for next year in Morocco.

Winning the two matches will still not be enough for Kenya as Cameroon has to beat Zimbabwe in their final match so as to sail through as the runner-up in Group J of the qualifiers.

Stars had a good start in the qualifiers, as they topped the group after the opening two rounds, but back-to-back defeats against at the hands of Cameroon last month, left a big dent in the qualifying campaign.

The unwanted results garnered after the opening two rounds triggered stakeholders to petition the Football Kenya Federation to sack coach Engin Firat for his poor record in competitive matches.

Oliech, is the latest to call for Firat's dismissal if Kenya fails to join Cameroon in qualifying for the AFCON.

REPLACE FIRAT WITH LOCAL COACH

Respected as the team's second all-time top scorer, Oliech believes that Firat and his backroom should not be spared in the event that Kenya flops in the bid to qualify.

The former striker observed that Firat and his men have been given ample time to prepare, for the qualifiers and other international assignments, yet the results inspire little or no confidence.

Stars have won three competitive matches from the time Firat was hired in September 2021 as a replacement to Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee.

Oliech argues that getting rid of Firat and replacing him with a local coach is necessary If Kenya is to make progress and punch above weight in the 2027 AFCON finals.

" The technical bench should be disbanded if we fail to qualify. We have seen the team report to camp on time and enjoy good build-up and treatment to matches only to lose. We have given Firat time but the results have not been coming by. I think it's time we trusted a local coach again," Oliech told SportsBoom in a telephone interview.

The former captain added that the local coach should be afforded support and time similar to the one the Turkish has been enjoying since his appointment.

" Preparations for 2027 AFCON should start immediately if we fail to qualify for the next edition. We have to hire a local coach in time and give him the support and patience Firat has enjoyed," added Oliech.

GIVE KIMANZI, SALIM THE JOB

Asked who is better placed to succeed Firat, Oliech quickly settled on Francis Kimanzi with Rising Stars head coach Salim Babu as his assistant.

The former Nantes striker hailed Kimanzi as one of the most experienced tacticians in the country with a proven track record with the national team.

Kimanzi has previously handled the national team in three spells, guiding the team to position 68 on the FIFA log in his first stint with the team in 2008.

He also won a CECAFA Senior Challenge silver medal with the team in the same year, which he also won the Kenyan Premier League with Mathare United.

He returned to the Stars bench in 2011/2012 but was sacked months later following the poor start in the hunt for a ticket in the 2013 AFCON and 2014 World Cup qualifiers.

The tactician handled the team for a third time between 2020-2021 before being fired and his place taken up by Ghost.

Oliech feels that Kimanzi's experience and Babu's understanding of modern football will inspire Stars to sail past the group stages of the 2027 AFCON finals.

"Kimanzi is best suited to succeed Firat. We have never had another coach take the team to the rank he did back in 2008. He has stood the test of time and does well in scouting. If he can work with Salim, I am sure the two will scout players and build a team that will take us to the knockout stages of the 2027 AFCON," said Oliech.

PROMOTE U20 PLAYERS TO SENIOR TEAM

In the interest of building a formidable team for the AFCON 2027, Oliech says it is important to gradually integrate outstanding Rising Stars to the senior team.

The former Gor Mahia and Mathare United striker said some of the Rising Stars had proven themselves ready to transition to the senior level owing to the performance put in the AFCON qualifiers.

Rising Stars secured the ticket to represent the country in next year's AFCON finals after finishing second behind Tanzania, in the qualifiers held last month in Dar es Salaam.

"Some of the boys are ready for top-level football. We need to start giving them minutes as soon as possible. They have a huge role to play in AFCON 2027," he added.