After a disappointing AFCON qualification campaign, a Harambee Stars legend criticized coach Engin Firat’s tactics calling for structural reforms and grassroots investment in Kenyan football.
Former Kenyan international Elijah Onsika has launched a scathing critique of Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat following Kenya’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.
Onsika, a revered figure in Kenyan football, blamed Firat for the team’s disappointing campaign, citing poor tactical choices, inconsistent squad selection, and a lack of hunger from the players.
Speaking after the match Onsika expressed his frustration with Firat’s approach, particularly during the crucial opening group matches.
“We have seen enough of this coach (Firat), I don’t know what else FKF, who hired him, want to see beyond what we have seen,” said Onsika told Flashscore.
“It is time they cracked the whip and sent him packing. He has failed us, he has failed the country, and the longer he continues to stay, the tougher it will get for those Kenyans yawning for positive results from Harambee Stars.”
Onsika’s remarks come in the wake of Kenya’s disappointing campaign, which started with a promising 2-1 win against Namibia and a draw with Zimbabwe but spiraled into back-to-back losses to Cameroon.
Firat’s defensive tactics, frequent squad changes, and players being deployed out of position have drawn widespread criticism.
“Look at the game against Zimbabwe, there was no hunger from the team, no physicality,” Onsika said.
“The team just needs a total overhaul. They were slow and lethargic and played without any objective. You could be forgiven for thinking that they were playing a friendly match in Polokwane.”
Onsika particularly lamented Firat’s decision to field six midfielders and adopt a defensive approach in a must-win match against Zimbabwe.
Despite needing a victory to keep their qualification hopes alive, Harambee Stars were uninspired and uncreative on the pitch.
“Why do we want to defend the whole game instead of just playing football?” questioned Onsika.
“To be honest, I am sick of these tactics—no moving forward, just playing to defend. How can you win a game when playing defensively?”
Onsika further criticized the lack of support for key striker Michael Olunga, who was left isolated due to the team’s deep defensive structure.
“Our holding and attacking midfield was dead, there was no one to support or supply balls to Michael. It looked like we wanted to defend and get them on the counter-attack, but it never worked because Zimbabwe knew about it and decided to play deep.”
While blaming Firat’s tactics for the disastrous campaign, Onsika also acknowledged the broader systemic issues facing Kenyan football.
The lack of proper facilities, investment in grassroots development, and disorganized preparations have plagued the national team for years.
“For the future, we must build facilities, invest in football from grassroots upwards with the right structures to identify talent early enough and develop players,” Onsika advised.
“Then we must focus on having early preparations for such matches.”
Harambee Stars’ disappointing qualification campaign has left the team with one remaining match against Namibia on Tuesday, November 19, in Polokwane City.
