My family cannot understand why I work without pay, reveals Firat

Kenya’s football coach Engin Firat has admitted being pained to explain to family members why he is not being paid for discharging his duties with the national team.

The 53-year-old Turkish tactician was appointed to lead Harambee Stars on September 19, 2021, as a replacement for Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee on a two-month contract which was later reviewed, but since his arrival, he has reportedly gone for seven months without salary.

Despite going without salary, Firat has continued to lead the side and he was in the dugout when they suffered a humiliating 1-0 friendly defeat against South Sudan at Kasarani on Tuesday.

Speaking after the game, Firat touched on the salary issue by saying: “It is true I haven’t been paid for months now, but that is not the issue or why (we lost against South Sudan).”

He continued: “However, there is a real challenge in all this, I find it difficult to explain to my family why I continue to do my job without receiving compensation, I have to justify to them (my family) why I invest my time and money and not for the family’s sake.”