Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat postulates that the team’s performance at the just concluded four-nation tournament in Malawi has built their confidence heading to the FIFA World Cup qualifier matches in June. Kenya is set to take on Burundi and Ivory Coast in their third and fourth group matches respectively after kicking off the qualifiers with mixed results last year in November. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7989183##As part of the preparations, Stars took part in the invitational four-day tournament alongside Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the hosts Malawi. Firat’s charges clinched the trophy after seeing off The Warriors (Zimbabwe) 3-1 in an epic final staged at Bingu National Stadium having outclassed The Flames (Malawi) 4-0 in the semi-finals. Speaking at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport upon touching down from the South African nation, Firat lauded the organization of the series noting that it was of a much higher level than he had anticipated and matches were equally of higher quality. “The tournament surpassed my expectations, they were of a much higher level and all the games were very high and good because we felt like we were competing in official qualifier games,” Firat offered. Michael Olunga edges closer to Kenya’s all-time goalscoring recordThe Turkish expert added that the tournament helped bring self-confidence to the team ahead of the crucial Burundi and Ivory Coast games stating that it helped him figure out the arsenals that would be ready for the task ahead. He attributed the team’s exploits in Malawi to sacrifices made by the playing unit and rallied the Kenyans to give them more support having represented the country well in Malawi adding that it will be instrumental in the upcoming matches. “We got the results both as sacrifices from the entire team, the players, the technical bench, and all that offered support,” “I think this team deserves real support which is lacking now but I hope to go ahead if we believe in this team it will get higher, these boys were representing Kenya well and will get the opportunity to go higher and do greater things,” asserted Firat. Judith Okumu: Following in the footsteps of football greatnessStars will be hoping to capitalize on home advantage when Burundi and African Champions Ivory Coast visit and collect maximum points to enhance their chances of featuring in the global showpiece for the first time in history. Kenya are currently third on the log with three points, having won one match and lost the other in the opening two games against Gabon and Seychelles. About last night, the champions @Harambee__Stars arrival at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport where they clinched the four nations tournament trophy drubbing Zimbabwe 3-1 #FootballKE #mozzartsportke pic.twitter.com/DZfsyWb5jI— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) March 28, 2024
