Engin Firat: Former Harambee Stars Coach Dies After Heart Attack

The football fraternity is in mourning following the sudden death of former Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat.

The Turkish tactician passed away at the age of 55 after suffering a heart attack, his club Nejmeh SC confirmed.

In a statement released on Monday, March 9, the Lebanese club announced that Firat experienced a fatal heart attack at Istanbul Airport. He was en route to Adana, having departed from Beirut just hours earlier.

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“To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return. With great sadness and sorrow, Star Athletic Club mourns first team coach Captain Engin Firat, who passed away following a sudden heart attack,” the club stated.

Firat's death comes shortly after he took the helm at Nejmeh SC in February of this year. The club is notably home to Kenyan international players Austin Odhiambo, Anthony Akumu, and Masoud Juma, all of whom had previously worked with Firat during his tenure with the Kenyan national team.

Nejmeh SC paid tribute to the coach's brief but impactful time with the team, highlighting his professionalism and character.

“During the time he spent with the club, the deceased was known for his professional commitment and high ethics, and he left a good impression on the ranks of the team and among the members of the Star Club family,” the tribute continued.

“The management of the club, the technical and administrative staff, the players, and the audience of Al-Najma Club extend their deepest condolences to his generous family and loved ones.”

Firat, who would have turned 56 in June, previously managed the Harambee Stars until he resigned in December 2024 upon the election of Hussein Mohammed to replace Nick Mwendwa.

Firat's journey with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) began in September 2021 with an initial two-month contract. His performance led to a significant extension, securing his position until January 2026.

His contract included key performance targets, such as leading Kenya to qualification for both the 2023 and 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournaments. Achieving these goals would have automatically triggered a further two-year extension to his deal.

Unfortunately, the team did not qualify for either competition under his leadership. In the recently concluded 2025 AFCON qualifiers, Kenya finished third in their group, behind Cameroon and Zimbabwe, missing out on a spot in the continental showpiece.