Engin Firat throws in the towel after Kenya failed to reach 2025 AFCON

Engin Firat resigns as Kenya coach – FKF Media.

Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has resigned after he failed to take Kenya to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

“I have done what I have to do after the CS talked so much about me. Let the federation announce,” Firat told Pan-Africa Football.

Edit: The Football Kenya Federation has released a statement quoted below

The former Moldova coach leaves the Harambee Stars after managing 23 matches since replacing Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee. He secured seven wins, seven draws and nine defeats.

His first game in charge saw Kenya suffer a 5-0 defeat against Mali in a World Cup qualifier before he lost 1-0 to the same side. Kenya then drew 1-1 against Uganda and Firat got his first win – 2-1 – against Rwanda.

He then lost 2-1 against Iran in an international friendly, beat Pakistan 1-0, lost 1-0 against Mauritius, beat Qatar 2-1, lost 1-0 against South Sudan before forcing Russia to a 2-2 draw in his 10th match in charge.

His 11th match took him to Gabon where Kenya suffered a 2-1 defeat but he recovered to hammer Seychelles 5-0. Kenya then thumped Malawi 4-0, before they beat Zimbabwe 3-1 to lift their first-ever trophy – Four Nation tournament – under Firat.

Kenya started their 2026 World Cup qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Burundi, drew 0-0 against African champions Ivory Coast before drawing 0-0 against Zimbabwe in their 2025 AFCON opener.

They recovered to beat Namibia 2-1, before losing twice to Cameroon – 4-1 and 1-0 – and then 2-0 to South Sudan in the qualifiers for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN). Though Kenya have already qualified for CHAN for being the host nation, they failed to beat South Sudan in the return fixture drawing 1-1.

Kenya then played Zimbabwe, a game that ended their AFCON dream after drawing 1-1 and concluded their group matches with a 0-0 draw against Namibia.