Football
Exclusive: Harambee Stars Coach Engin Firat Expresses Confidence in Team’s Potential Ahead of Cameroon tie
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat expresses confidence in his team's potential ahead of the AFCON qualifiers against Cameroon, citing the squad's improved preparedness and key player returns.
Image Credit: FKF Media
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat believes that his side is well prepared to tackle Group J opponents Cameroon as the race for qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) heats up.
The two teams, both with four points in the group, face each other in a double header, first in Douala, Cameroon on Friday and the return leg three days' time in Kampala, Uganda.
The Turk who is in his second stint as the Harambee Stars coach is optimistic that the foundation laid over the last nine months with the team are finally bearing fruits.
In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com on Wednesday, Firat acknowledged the fact that they were facing a very physical side but he has what it takes to tackle the Indomitable Lions.
We know how hard it will be but we are on a level where details will decide and i don’t think that it will be easy for them (Cameroon), they have no missing player, nothing but this time round i am happy we have only a few players missing for this tie.
Engin Firat
A Test of Strength and Mental Fortitude
With injuries affecting his team selection during the last international break, Firat hopes that this is a ghost of the past and will have his full ammunition during this international break and beyond.
“I have never had the possibility of playing with the same team and if you really have some structures where you have options then it becomes easy," explained Firat.
"We are forgetting that we have never had the luxury of playing at home in a long time and this is physically and mentally hard for us, therefore for me these two matches against Cameroon will be a nice signal for us and if we pick maximum points then it will be easy to say that we are ready to go for AFCON.”
Closed-Door Match: A Tough but Necessary Decision
After the first leg of the double header against Cameroon, Kenya host the Indomitable Lions at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala and the match will be played behind closed doors something Firat says is very necessary.
“There are a lot reason, you remember when Zimbabwe played there (against Harambee Stars) and the crowd mobbing Onana (Andre) it will be problematic so it doesn't make sense to have that during our game on Monday,” Firat said.
“It is a difficult decision but we need to prioritize the team’s safety and focus on the upcoming game so simple.”
Ouma’s Versatility Key to Holding Cameroon
Firat heaped praise on captain Michael Olunga and Timothy Ouma who missed the last two fixtures against Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Captain Olunga missed the last round of qualifiers due to injury and is in line to leading again from the front against Cameroon. Ouma on the other hand has been in good form with his club IF Elfsborg of Sweden and was a star performer in their 1-0 triumph over AS Roma in the Europa League last week.
The former Nairobi City Stars midfielder can play in different position, something that gives Firat something to smile about.
“He is one of the players that can play in many positions, and it also depends on the game plan. For example, he (Timothy) played against Ivory Coast at left back because they had a fantastic right back that was always attacking and extremely physical, so we needed to neutralize him.
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This is like a chess game where you have to use what you have wisely and we did just that,” Firat added.
“You have to understand therefore it is not about the positions the players play but how versatile they can be.”
Firat is now unbeaten in the last seven matches as the Harambee Stars coach and hopes that the double header against Cameroon will earn his side maximum points as they aim at qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time since 2019.
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