A bad week maybe was the reason Kenya lost to Gabon on Thursday evening.

That at least came up in head coach Engin Firat’s post-match interview, as he made a case for his side - Harambee Stars - beginning their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers on the wrong note.

🇰🇪🎙️Engin Firat: “When you think of how many boys were missing it was not our day. We have to win against Seychelles 🇸🇨”.#HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/avyHXKJ1Zf
— Eric Njiru (@EricNjiiru) November 17, 2023

Kenya, after taking a lead through Masud Juma in the 40th minute, saw Denis Bouanga and Guelor Kanga score in the second half to give the hosts a 2-1 win in the game played at the Stade de la Rénovation de Franceville.

“When you think about how many players were missing, I can’t really say something to the boys. They fought well,” Firat said. “It was not really our day, just like it was all the way this week. We were very unlucky.”

Late Gabon goal dim Harambee Stars in opening 2026 World Cup qualifier match

Unlucky too, was the manner in which as per the Turkish coach, Kenya conceded goals; “The same (lack of luck) continued also in this match especially the 1-1 [opening goal] with the individual mistake, and soon after that, we lost a lot of energy and Gabon got stronger, scoring a really good goal from Kanga.”

“After that we missed a very good chance to equalize, but like I said, the whole time now for the last 10 days we are very unlucky.”

Asked about how the team reacted, especially given the fact that they play on Monday night against Seychelles, he said: “It was very disappointing for the boys because to concede a goal in the last minutes hurts a lot. But it doesn’t change our mind or future and first of all we have to win the next match and hope that next time we will have our full squad back to show who we are.”

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The squad touched down in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on Friday afternoon, where they are expected to train ahead of their last international fixture this year, and one that carries much ramifications in Group F.

“We want to win. There is no other way here,” Firat said. “As I said, we need points in this group given how close the other teams are. Every point we get will be very important. We have to win.”

Monday’s game at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium kicks off at 2200 EAT.

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Firat cites 'bad luck' as reason behind Harambee Stars' loss to Gabon

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