Engin Firat is expected to return as the Harambee Stars coach for a second stint.The Turkish tactician left the country in November last year amidst chaos in Kenyan football which culminated in a FIFA suspension.Firat had been handed a short-term contract by the Football Kenya Federation, FKF to oversee the last two matches of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualifiers.##NAJAVA_MECA_6857499##In the matches, Kenya lost 6-0 to Mali on aggregate, before they edged out Rwanda’s Amavubi 2-1 in a dead rubber match at Nyayo Stadium.”In our (FKF) last Executive meeting, it was suggested that Firat (Engin) be handed a new contract, but it was just a proposal that has not been approved. It was felt that in the few matches he handled the team played fairly well,” a source who spoke anonymously, told Mozzart Sport.In an interview with Goal earlier, the coach stated he had enjoyed his time with the Kenya team and would wish to continue, “It has been an amazing journey for me in Kenya, football, and Africa at large,” Firat said.”The only challenge has been getting quality facilities like standard pitches, which is a problem in Africa. But coaching Harambee Stars is an adventurous journey. We have a long way to go, and yes, I want to be part of it, I want to stay.”Harambee Stars officially coachless after Engin Firat’s contract runs outThe FIFA suspension was lifted on Monday, but with Kenya out of the next AFCON qualifiers, which started after the suspension was imposed, the Harambee Stars could be out of international football until 2024.Coach Engin 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.
