The tactics employed by Kenya’s coach Engin Firat have not impressed his AFCON-winning counterpart Emerse Fae of Ivory Coast during their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers encounter staged in Malawi.
Fae accused the Harambee Stars of taking a defensive approach in their game plan instead of attacking more, stating that he expected to witness an explosive match.
The match ended in a 0-0 draw, but Kenya went home the happier side with the result.
Coach Fae further noted that if the Harambee Stars had won the game, it would not have been a deserved victory for the Kenyan boys, while expressing his discontent with Captain Michael Olunga.
This comes after Engin Firat said that the Harambee Stars deserved a win given that they were able to create clear chances to find the back of the net.
“I don’t think they deserved to win. They refused to play and stayed behind to wait for our mistake to score. They got probably one big opportunity and one good situation but nothing more,” said Fae after the match.
“I thought they would put more pressure on us but they decided to stay behind and wait. I am a little bit disappointed about the striker (Michael Olunga). I saw him better but tonight he was not as I saw him,” he added.
Harambee Stars missed at least three opportunities to score, particularly during their counter-attacks against African football giants Ivory Coast.
Kenya was playing a home game while away in Malawi at the Bingu National Stadium, where coach Fae lamented about the state of the playing surface. He said this hindered them from employing their usual style of play in such matches.
“Unfortunately, the field was not too good for us to play our football and it was easier for Kenya to defend. It was the reason for this kind of game,” noted coach Fae.
“We just concluded the AFCON in February. It is a period where the players are a bit tired. I think this period is better for the small teams because they have more energy.” he added.
Harambee Stars are the only team in the Group F so far to get a point from Ivory Coast who top the Group with 10 points.
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