Ugandan and Zimbabwean journalists struggled to suppress laughter after Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat openly ridiculed Kenyan fans for failing to travel for the opening match of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Kenya laboured to a barren draw against Zimbabwe, in the first Group J qualifier match, staged at the recently refurbished Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Uganda. Why Engin Firat failed to start a striker in Harambee Stars’ AFCON qualifier against ZimbabweKenyan fans were largely expected to paint the facility red and white just like they did 12 years ago when Stars denied Uganda Cranes an opportunity to feature in the 2012 finals in Gabon. However, only a handful of fans made their way to the facility, denying the team the much-needed 12th-man support. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8318176##While weighing in on the poor attendance, Firat said the fans did not meet his expectations and went on to express doubts about their love of the game and the team. “I expected more fans at the stadium considering that we were playing in a neighbouring country. But that did not happen. Sometimes, I ask myself if Kenya is really a footballing country,” said Firat amid laughter from the pressmen.Is there genuine Harambee Stars progress under Engin Firat?That was not the sole incident the Turkish mocked the Kenyan football fraternity in the full glare of the cameras after the game.When asked about his dismal record in the nine competitive matches he had taken charge of, Firat diverted attention to the state of the sporting facilities in Kenya rather than giving an explanation or taking responsibility for the record. Under the former Moldova national team coach, Kenya has won a paltry two competitive matches against Seychelles and Rwanda. “The biggest problem with Kenyans is they always think they are world champions. You underestimate everyone around you. Look at the conditions our neighbours are in and compare to ours. You never look in the mirror,” he said when asked about his record.
