Firat expects tough Qatar challenge

Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat during a past training session at Nyayo stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat feels Thursday’s international friendly match against hosts Qatar in Doha will offer the national team a good training ground ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Kenya have been drawn in a tricky Group F alongside Seychelles, Burundi, Gambia, Gabon, and Côte d’Ivoire. Stars will kick off their qualifiers campaign away to Gabon and Seychelles on November 13-21.

The group winners will automatically earn a ticket to the global showpiece with the four best runners-up from the groups advancing to the CAF play-off tournament, whose winners will also grab a spot in the tournament to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.

After the encounter at the Al-Janoub Stadium tomorrow, Stars will return to Nairobi for another friendly against South Sudan on September 12. Kenya lost 2-1 to Iran in their last build up match in March.

With a number of talented players in their mix led by Al Duhail striker Almoez Ali and Al Sadd’s Akram Afif, and having successfully hosted the 2022 World Cup, the Turkish is prepared for a tough match against Qatar.  

“Qatar is a very strong side. It’s only that during the World Cup they didn’t show the performance which they have shown all the time before. They had a good run before the World Cup, they are the Asian defending champions and have a great home record. They have all the players who featured in the World Cup, and this means we will really have a very challenging game. The likes of Akram Afif and Almoez Ali are exciting and very technical players,” said Firat during Monday’s press conference.

“It’s a good friendly as we prepare to play Ivory Coast, Gambia and Gabon away. We are keen to see how we can perform under such pressure.”

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is equally excited as he prepares to play against his Al Duhail teammates for the first time since he joined the Qatar Stars League side in 2021.

The quartet of Salaha Zakariah, Youssef Ayman, Karim Boudiaf, and Almoez Ali is in coach Carlos Queiroz’s 26-man squad for the friendly.

“It’s going to be an exciting and competitive game as I face four of my club mates (Al Duhail) and other players I have played against in the Qatar Stars League. I have already told them that we will not be friends during the match. It’s a great friendly, and I’m really looking forward to it,” said Olunga.

“It is a good opportunity to play in this kind of environment as it will prepare us for the type of hostility to expect in our upcoming away matches in the World Cup qualifiers. It will help us learn how to handle this type of pressure.”

Although Firat has gone for almost nine months without pay, he is still committed to continue guiding the team, and help them restore their lost glory.

The Turkish, who earns Sh1.5 million per month, is owed Sh13.5 million in salary arrears by the government through the Ministry of Sports. The ministry had promised to cater for his salaries on behalf of the Football Kenya Federation.

Firat got a three-year contract extension in February after initially being signed on a three-month deal.

“There is nobody, nobody in Kenya football that makes more sacrifices than myself…of course, nothing is paid,” Firat said in reference to his salary status.

The team was due to depart for Doha today morning (1am).