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Kenyan fans have called for major changes in the wake of Harambee Stars’ loss to Gabon after watching Engin Firat’s men collapse in the second half of their 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Kenyan fans expressed their disappointment following Harambee Stars’ 2-1 defeat to Gabon in their opening match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Harambee Stars took a 40th-minute lead courtesy of Masud Juma but a second-half collapse allowed the hosts a route back into the game as they equalised early after the break before a late winner.
Kenya were easily carved open in the second half as they lost their shape and surrendered the initiative to Gabon who took full advantage and the winning margin could have been huge had it not been for some key saves from goalkeeper Patrick Matasi.
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21:30 - 16.11.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars suffer late heartbreak as Gabon come from behind to secure victory in Franceville
Kenya paid the price for a poor second-half display as the Panthers of Gabon came from behind to collect all points in their 2026 World Cup qualifier
Fans back home reacted angrily, taking to social media to call out Engin Firat’s men with others even suggesting the team should be disbanded.
“Like what did we expect from this team, surely same old cycle. This team should be disbanded. You have embarrassed us enough times. You score to give us hope for three points but along the way you remembered winning is not your cup of tea,” said a fan.
“Jina ni Harambee Stars lakini hiyo nyota ya ushindi ni kama mlitokwa [The name is Harambee Stars but it looks like you have no lucky stars to help you win].”
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06:32 - 17.11.2023
FOOTBALL Gabon vs Kenya player ratings: Matasi, Omurwa disappoint as Harambee Stars fall short
Here are our ratings of Harambee Stars players after Kenya lost to Gabon in their opening World Cup qualifying match.
“Harambee should be disbanded, KPL overhauled and grassroot academies be the power in football talent,” was the diagnosis of another supporter.
“We have to rethink football in this country we build from the grassroots and have an identity and style of play.”
“I have watched this game lakini Kenya hakuna plan [I have watched this game but we have no plan]. We can't keep the ball, we can't complete passes, we are playing out of possession, silly fouls committed. If we can't take points from Gabon sasa tutapiga kweli Ivory Coast [If we can’t take points from Gabon can we handle Ivory Coast]? But it’s okay we are just being so Kenyan.”
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08:33 - 17.11.2023
FOOTBALL Five lessons learned from Harambee Stars’ 2-1 loss to Gabon
Kenya sit at the bottom of Group F following the Gabon loss which offered vital lessons.
“A team has to finish at the top of the group to qualify for 2026 World Cup. I had hopes, hopes gone after the first match.”
Others feel Kenya should concentrate on other sports rather than football since the performance was classic Harambee Stars.
“As expected, took us to Mars and back in a minute. Kenya ni Athletics tu, football tuachie Brazil [Kenya is just an athletics nation, let us leave football to Brazil],” posted one fan.
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07:20 - 14.11.2023
FKFPL Engin Firat fires back at Olunga critics: 'Everybody in the Middle East knows Michael!
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat defends Michael Olunga, suggests critics try PlayStation if they don't understand his performance.
“Hapa tunawaste resources [we are wasting resources here], let's focus on marathon and other stuff,” said another.
“Disappointed but not surprised. We should try another sport because football is not for us.”
Some fans, however, feel there is still hope if Kenya can find a way of holding onto leads.
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17:00 - 13.11.2023
FOOTBALL Firat blasts ignorant Kenyans for ‘destroying’ Omala in race for Harambee Stars starting berth
The Harambee Stars coach expressed his displeasure at Kenyan fans who have been pushing for captain Michael Olunga to be dropped in favour of Gor Mahia forward Benson Omala
“Since time immemorial, Harambee Stars have always been dimmed in the dying minutes of the game especially during crucial matches. They need to learn and train more on endurance,” was the response of another supporter.
“You need to learn on how to defend leads. Scoring first and not seeing off a game has been the norm.”
A section of Harambee Stars would like to see Firat make several changes to the side with Gor Mahia striker Benson Omala among those given a chance.
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06:00 - 16.11.2023
FOOTBALL Firat reveals why qualifying for AFCON 2025 Round of 16 is a must ahead of ‘home’ 2027 edition
Engin Firat has revealed why both qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and getting to the knockout stages of that tournament is an absolute necessity for Harambee Stars.
“Omala hatafunga bao daily pale Gor lakini you'll see him get involved kwa build up and stuff like that, huyo jamaa mwingine wa Qatar sina maoni. [Omala will not score every match at Gor Mahia but he will be involved in the build-up but Michael Olunga. I have nothing to say]. Firat is a plumber,” responded another supporter.
“[Richard] Odada, [Johnstone] Omurwa, [Michael] Olunga should be replaced. Give [Benson] Omala playing time.”
“I have said it before and will continue till I die that favouritism and the appointment of these wannabe Pep has and will always drag us to the deepest of trenches. Because there is no way you will tell me the likes of [Patrick] Matasi, [Anthony] Akumu, [Michael] Olunga and Aboud [Omar] will start for a serious team in 2023.”
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18:00 - 16.11.2023
FOOTBALL Michael Olunga finally reacts to social media critics following recent Harambee Stars profligacy
Olunga has finally responded to social media critics following his recent goalless performances for Harambee Stars ahead Harambee Stars’ clash with Gabon.
Not everybody has lost hope though. “Not a bad result. Our team is improving. We live to fight another day,” said an optimistic fan.
Firat’s men have little time to feel sorry about themselves as they face Seychelles away on Monday and will hope for a positive result to avoid getting pegged back further even if still early in the qualifying phase.
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