Turkish tactician Engin Farat takes charge of Harambee Stars -days after ‘Ghost’ Mulee resigned
Football
By
Odero Charles
| Sep 19, 2021
Turkish tactician Engin Farat has been appointed the Kenyan national team Harambee Stars head coach on a two months contract, the Football Kenya Federation announced on Sunday afternoon.
Firat takes over from Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee who resigned from the post a few days ago.
The 51-year-old tactician will be assisted by Kennedy Odhiambo and William Muluya. Jerim Onyango will be the new Goalkeeping Coach.
Firat’s assignment will be the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Mali, away and home, on October 8, and October 12, 2021, respectively.
"FKF is bringing Firat at a time when Harambee Stars are competing for a FIFA World Cup ticket, and Kenya stand second in the group E and we have a clear chance to compete well in this group," Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa said.
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"Firat has the experience to handle the team since he is a top coach."
On his part,Firat said: “I am motivated and excited about the challenge. I am confident that we can get the positive result we desire in this qualification campaign.”
Since the current FKF regime took over in 2016, Bobby Williamson, Stanley Okumbi, Paul Putt, Sebastien Migne, Francis Kimanzi and Mulee have taken charge of Harambee Stars.
In the six matches he guided Harambee Stars, Mulee won only one; against Togo away in Lome, before drawing against Egypt and Comoros at home in the Afcon qualifiers.
He then lost 2-1 to the lowly-ranked Comoros away in Moroni, a result that confirmed Stars would not return to the biggest African football tournament.
About Coach Engin
Engin Farat holds a UEFA Pro Coaching License and was most recently attached to the Moldova National team.
He has previously had coaching stints in the Iranian Super League with Saipa, Folad Tabriz, and Sepahan, as well as the Iranian National Team.