NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 22 – Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has said winning will not be his major priority when Kenya takes on Iran in a friendly match in Tehran next Tuesday, instead saying he is more focused on building a team for the future.
The tough talking tactician says Kenyans should give him time and judge him by the team’s results when they eventually play World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers beginning next year.
“For Iran, it doesn’t matter the result. I chose this game because I want the team to learn. This is not a match for results but it is a match where I can see which players have character and which can perform under pressure,” said the tactician.
He adds; “The reality is that Iran is one of the top teams in Asia. They are ranked high and they are always in the World Cup. I had a choice between two matches; one simple match which we would have won for sure and Iran. I know everyone else would have chosen the simple game.”
The tactician has lamented of the effects of failure to play strong teams, saying he will want more of those to ensure that the players get used to playing at the highest level.
The Turkish coach has also said the reason most coaches don’t prefer playing tougher teams is the pressure to get results but for him, the approach will be different.
“In the last 10 years, Kenya hasn’t played a strong team in a friendly match because everyone is asking for results. But if you can’t face strong teams, how then will you behave under pressure in important matches?” posed the coach.
Meanwhile, the tactician has pleaded for time to turn the team’s fortunes around and has vowed to ensure the team returns to the top and plays at the next Cup of Nations.
“Give us time to prepare and judge us when it’s important when we have qualifiers. But now, we are trying to build our team because I have to think of long term with the U20 and U23, not just focused on the A team,” further added the coach.
Firat is on his second stint as the Harambee Stars head coach. He had his first stint during the last phase of the qualifiers for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in 2021 where he lost two (back to back against Mali), drew one (against Uganda) and won one (against Rwanda).
