FKF unveils Jacob Mulee’s replacement at Harambee Stars
Football Kenya Federation President Nick Mwendwa has on Sunday 19, 2021 unveiled the new Harambee Stars head coach.
Mwendwa unveiled Engin Firat as the new replacement of former Stars coach Jacob Ghost Mulee, whose departure was announced last week.
The German-Turkish coach is a UEFA-Pro license holder who has plied his trade with European national teams and several elite clubs. Engin previously coached Moldova, ranked 180 in the FIFA World rankings.
Speaking at the unveiling, the FKF Boss confirmed that Firat will serve the national team for two months before further announcements are made.
He said that Firat will see Kenya through the four remaining World Cup qualifier matches, before the football body commences talks on permanently appointing the former Moldova national team tactician.
"We have held discussions back and forth and we have agreed with Mr.Engin that he can take this task. Engin is a top qualified coach who has coached at the highest level. He is vastly experienced and during his stint as Moldova's coach, he faced some of the European football giants.
"In our circumstances we were looking for someone who fits the project we have. We have a team that is in between a campaign and we were looking for someone who fits the task. Mr. Engin will have an engagement with us for 2 months, to take on the four remaining matches against; Mali (home and away fixtures), Uganda (away fixture) and Rwanda (home fixture)," he said.
Mwendwa asserted that the federation will discuss if to continue and how to continue working with the highly-rated coach after the two months lapses. The FKF President exuded confidence that the European coach will triumph in the group matches and see the national team qualify for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
On his side, Engin vowed to give his all to see the national team triumph in the remaining qualifier matches.
“This is an interesting project and I am glad to be here. I am glad to see what the next two months hold and hopefully we succeed. Kenya is a good football nation and I am looking forward to work here," he said.
