© Mozzart Sport
© Mozzart Sport

2025 AFCONq: Harambee Stars Coach Firat prepares for defensive battle against Namibia

Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 09.09.24. | 17:00

With Namibia expected to be on the attack, Firat intends to sit back and rely on counterattacks to achieve a positive result.

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat plans to adopt a defensive approach when Kenya faces Namibia on Tuesday in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Orlando Stadium, South Africa.

Kenya secured a point against Zimbabwe in their opening match and plays the Namibia Warriors, who started their campaign with a 1-0 loss to Cameroon.

Firat, known for his straightforward talking style, welcomed the Warriors' result against the Indomitable Lions, believing it would push Namibia to play more offensively.

He sees this as an opportunity for Kenya to capitalize on counterattacks.

"Namibia will likely play more offensively after losing to Cameroon, making things easier for us," Firat told The Star

With Namibia expected to be on the attack, Firat, seeking his third international win in ten matches with Kenya, intends to sit back and rely on counterattacks to achieve a positive result.

"We plan to sit back and hit them on the counter," he stated.

Firat’s strategy is influenced by injury concerns for key players Alphonce Omija and Erick Ouma.

Omija was stretchered off early in the Zimbabwe match, while Ouma had to be withdrawn in the latter stages due to injury.

Firat also hinted at bringing fresh legs into the squad if the injury list grows.

"I always have a long list of injured players. In our first match, Alphonce Omija got injured, and Eric Ouma could not finish the game because of injury," Firat said.

"In the end, we will have to trust other players, but let's see what the medical department says. It would be unfortunate if we lose more than half of the team."

With Omija and Ouma ruled out, Firat may need to adjust his defensive lineup, potentially relying on players like Bandari's Sharrif Majabe, Joseph Okumu, Amos Nondi, Abud Omar, and Sylvester Owino.


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Engin FıratNamibiaAFCON 2025Harambee Stars

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