Firat demands improvement from Stars ahead of Mauritius tie
Football
By
Washington Onyango
| Jun 18, 2023
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has demanded for an improved performance from his players as they face Mauritius in the four-nations tournament at the Anjalay Coopen Stadium today (2.30pm).
Kenya edged out Pakistan 1-0 on Wednesday with Moses Shummah scoring on his debut, but Firat was not satisfied with the display despite picking his first win in 18 months.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Turk said Kenya needs to play better if they are to go far in terms of converting their goal-scoring opportunities and showing the hunger to win.
Apart from being clinical in front of goal, Firat wants his charges to be aggressive.
"We were not 100 percent in the game against Pakistan. We failed to play the way we had planned but that has to change starting by taking our chances," Firat said in the post-match interview.
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"Pakistan played like it was a final and despite being behind, they never let down their gut. We were soft and that has to change."
Since arriving in the country in September 2021, the Turkish tactician has not had an easy ride.
Firat's first game ended in a 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Mali during the 2022 World Cup qualifiers played in October 2021 before proceeding to lose the return leg 1-0.
A 1-1 draw with Uganda followed before he picked his first win in a 2-1 win over Rwanda in a dead-rubber match played at Nyayo Stadium in November of the same year.
Firat then left Kenya was suspended by Fifa following government interference with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) but he was handed a three year contract in March this year after the suspension was lifted.
The Turk took Kenya to play Iran the same month and despite Michael Olunga scoring and Kenya leading up to the 75th minute, two late goals condemned Kenya to a 2-1 defeat.
Today, Firat will need his charges to pick up the pace rather faster as they play Mauritius who have not defeated Kenya in their last four meetings.
The best result the Island nation has gotten is a draw in 1997 (2-2) and 2015 (0-0) World Cup qualifiers. Kenya has on the other hand won 3-1 and 5-2 in the respective return leg of the qualifiers matches.
Ironically, Stars' wins have come when they play Mauritius in their back yard while they have struggled to edge them in Nairobi. Firat will be hoping history repeats itself again.
The last time the two played Kenya won 5-2 where Olunga scored alongside Harun Shakava, Ayub Masika and Johanna Omollo, all of whom are not in today's squad.
While Kenya has 12 wins registered in all their international matches played between 2019 to date, Mauritius has only one win which they picked when they defeated Pakistan last weekend.
Firat and Olunga said they are using the tournament to prepare for upcoming the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.