Engin Firat’s job as Harambee Stars coach is on the line following the team’s failure to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations.
This comes after Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that the government will no longer fund Firat’s contract after he failed to lead the team to AFCON.
Murkomen, speaking at the launch of the NYC National Election Steering Committee, stated that the decision to fire the coach is up to the Football Kenya Federation, but he had done his utmost to support Harambee Stars.
“I am aware of the agreement between FKF and the coach, which stipulates that failure to qualify for AFCON would lead to disengagement,” Murkomen said on Wednesday.
According to Murkomen, the Sports docket reached an agreement with Firat while drafting the coach’s three-year contract, which Firat signed in September 2021 for a reported monthly wage of Ksh.1.5 Million.
“Since the ministry funded the contract, we will, given the circumstances of our failure to qualify, implement that part of the agreement and cease providing further resources,” he said.
Despite a promising start to the qualifiers, Kenya finished third in Group J, trailing Cameroon and Zimbabwe, following a string of three losses and three draws in six matches.
The recent 0-0 stalemate against Namibia on Tuesday, November 19, prompted fresh worries about Firat’s suitability for the post in the future.
Firat, on the other hand, expressed hope following the match, implying that he would meet with current FKF chief Nick Mwendwa prior to the December 7 elections.
“I spoke with President Nick Mwendwa, and if Doris Petra takes over, we will sit down and plan for next year,” Firat said
“We have targets, including hosting a tournament in Nairobi, but it’s all football. We’ll see what happens after the elections. I also have a contract, and that’s a reality.”
The coach appeared to believe that his future depended on Mwendwa and Petra retaining their seats in the upcoming elections.
Mwendwa is ineligible for a third term because he has already run for president twice.In order to maintain his position in the Federation’s top hierarchy, he has nominated his deputy Petra for president.
