Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat partly blamed the barren draw against Zimbabwe, in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers opener, on some of the decisions centre referee Adalbert Diouf. First heavily criticised the Senegalese whistler for failing to send off two Zimbabwean players for dangerous tackles made in the game. The tactician, faulted Diouf for turning a blind eye to a foul John Takwara made in the 66th minute against Amos Nondi in the full glare of his assistants. ##NAJAVA_MECA_8318370##The challenge elicited angry reactions from the Star’s technical bench and players who milled around Diouf, petitioning for the sending off of the burly defender. However, after calm was restored, following interventions by the rest of the officials, Diouf dished a yellow card much to the disappointment of Firat. “The referee should not help a team on the pitch. There are so many situations, I had no clue of what he saw. He should have red-carded Takwara for a dangerous foul in the second half,” he said. Besides Takwara, Firat questioned why the referee failed to dish a second yellow card to Khama Billiat in the second half. Billiat was the first player to go in the book in the 23rd minute after stopping Johanna from pulling the trigger from outside the box. He survived a second caution in the second half which appeared to irk Firat so is the decision to turn down a penalty claim by Austin Odhiambo. ” Billiat should also have been sent off for a second bookable offence. Austin was fouled in the box and nothing was given. Why is it always us? he wondered. Francis Barasa backs Benson Omala as ideal replacement for OlungaThe former Moldova national team coach called for improved officiating in the subsequent games. Stars will take on Namibia on Tuesday in what will be the second AFCON qualifier. ” It was not okay what happened today. I am not happy with the referee. To improve football, the referee should not be on the side of those who are defending and not playing,” he added. 2025 AFCONQ: Harambee Stars scoring problem persists as Zimbabwe force barren draw in opener
