Harambee Stars Coach Engin Firat Faces Critical Test Against Seychelles in 2026 World Cup Qualifier
Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, is gearing up for their second 2026 World Cup qualifier against Seychelles in Abidjan, and Coach Engin Firat is under immense pressure to secure a victory.
Harambee Stars faces a challenging task as they prepare to take on Seychelles at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on Monday.
Team Performance
In their opening match, Engin Firat’s squad suffered a 2-1 defeat to Gabon, where they took an early lead but couldn’t maintain it, allowing Gabon to score two goals in the second half and secure a win. This setback puts them in a must-win situation for Monday’s game if they hope to keep pace with the rest of the Group F competitors. Cote d’Ivoire, Burundi, and Gabon have already secured three points from their victories on matchday one.
This match is a clash between the underdogs of the group, with Seychelles having suffered the heaviest defeat so far in the qualifiers, losing 9-0 to Cote d’Ivoire. However, this defeat may serve as a source of encouragement for Firat and his team.
Firat’s Performance
Firat described the team’s performance in Franceville as “unlucky” and asked fans for patience, citing the team’s youth and learning process. However, Kenyan supporters may run out of patience if Harambee Stars cannot secure maximum points against Seychelles.
Firat has managed the Kenyan team in 10 games over two stints, achieving only two wins, with as many draws and six losses. Kenya is ranked 110th in the FIFA rankings, a significant 85 places above their Seychellois opponents, leaving little room for excuses in case of a failure to win.
Head-to-Head Record
Harambee Stars boast an undefeated record against Seychelles in their five previous encounters, with four wins and one draw. Their most recent meeting took place in March 2015, resulting in a 2-0 victory for Kenya in an international friendly. They also faced off twice in November 2011, with Kenya winning 3-0 away and securing a 4-0 victory at home in a World Cup qualifier.
These results followed a 2-1 win for Kenya in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in November 1992, along with a goalless draw and a 1-0 win for Harambee Stars in friendly matches in June 1998.
