Former Harambee Stars and Mathare United midfielder Titus Mulama has expressed his desire for a coach with a deep understanding of African football to take charge of the national team.The Harambee Stars are currently without a head coach following the resignation of Engin Firat. The Turkish tactician stepped down due to delayed payments and his inability to secure Kenya’s qualification for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.Firat’s three-year tenure was marked by poor results, controversial player selections, and questionable tactics.##NAJAVA_MECA_8582093##During his time, he frequently blamed Kenya’s weak football structures for the team’s struggles.Firat managed only three competitive wins while his most notable achievement was guiding the team to victory in the Invitational Four Nations Tournament held in Malawi earlier this year.Mulama, who earned 71 caps for Kenya between 2001 and 2012, believes Firat’s stint highlights the importance of hiring a tactician who has prior experience coaching in Africa.REVEALED: How Michael Olunga and Engin Firat voted at 2024 FIFA Best AwardsSuch a coach, he says, would understand the unique challenges of African football and maximize the potential of local players.“A coach is a coach, but the most important thing is to have a vision, and the coach must align with our vision as a country,” Mulama told TUKO.“What does our country need? How can we achieve better results? The key is a coach who understands African football.”“There are many foreign coaches who have excelled in Africa, like Herve Renard. If we can find someone who combines Kenya’s strengths with additional qualities, we will be in a great place because we have players with determination.”Division One side snatches Gilbert Selebwa to advance five-year FKF Premier League planIt remains unclear whether Kenya will opt for a foreign coach to replace Firat or choose a local tactician, as calls for a homegrown coach have gained traction.The new coach will face a tough task. Kenya not only missed out on the AFCON 2025 qualification, but the team also needs to prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.Additionally, the Harambee Stars will aim to build a strong squad for AFCON 2027, which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat says Kenyans don’t know anything about football. Can someone please ask this guy what then is he doing in Kenya if he was a coach worth mentioning in Europe! pic.twitter.com/7S9KEEu75j— Fred Arocho (@fred_arocho) October 19, 2023
