Nick Mwendwa is facing criticism after Harambee Stars was thrashed in a world cup qualifier against Mali. The President appointed new coach weeks to a world cup qualifier against Mali, after falling out with former coach Ghost Mulei.
The FKF President appointed a new technical team that included his loyalist friend and coach William Muluya of Kariobangi Sharks.
The team that played against Mali was selected by Nick Mwendwa through William Muluya.
Ghost Mulei of the Patanisho show had clashed on several occasions with the FKF President on team selection. Nick Mwendwa who owns Kariobangi Sharks, a team that plays in the FKF Premier league is notorious for advising coaches to pick players of his choice for international duties.
The humiliation Harambee Stars was subjected to on Thursday by Mali is a result of Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) decision to hire new coach Engin Firat only three weeks to the crucial World Cup qualifier, veteran coach Twahir Muhiddin has said.
Mali thumped Kenya 5-0, and Muhiddin, who was fired last month alongside Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and goalkeepers’ trainer Haggai Azande says it evident the coach has a lot to learn about the team.
Read: Harambee Stars thrashed 5:0 against Mali in a crucial World Cup 2022.
And in his own words, Firat said he did “not know what really happened,” adding weight to Muhhidin’s observation.
“The changes were made by the federation, and changes have consequences. They can bring the desired effect and they can also backfire. Essentially the decision has backfired, I know that from my experience. We however pray for the best in the return match, a win or draw at least, considering that Uganda won (beat Rwanda 0-1),” said the former Bandari FC coach, now the club’s Technical Director.
Muhiddin was specific that Firat’s wrong positioning of some players underlined the curse of untimely hiring and firing of coaches by FKF.
“Joash played on the right as a wing-back, instead of his usual centre-back role. He had a lot of challenges because in that position you need speed going forward to support the attacking unit, as opposed to his central back position where you just need to learn the opponents’ attackers and how to counter them. Henry Mejja (of Tusker) is a center-forward but the coach (Firat) played him on the right flank. But, we cannot blame him because he did not have enough time with the team. There was no international friendly to help him know the players, so he had to learn their capabilities during the match.”
This is the second time the current FKF regime has changed coaches in the middle of qualifiers. On October 20 last year, Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi who had replaced Frenchman Sebastien Migne was fired, the federation announcing he had left on mutual consent.
Kimanzi was dismissed alongside his assistant Zedekiah ‘Zico’ Otieno, just weeks before Kenya played Comoros in 2022 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers double header.
Poignantly, Kimanzi had not lost in his two matches for the campaign, having drawn Egypt away (1-1) and Togo at home (1-1) before beating Zambia 2-1 in the build up to the Comoros matches.
A few days later FKF President Nick Mwendwa announced that the federation had picked Mulee, who barely 11 months together with Muhiddin Azande were shown the door to pave way for Firat.
Former AFC Leopards striker Ambani weighed in on the lose and squarely blamed FKF leadership for the loss.
“I have nothing against [Engin] Firat who was recently appointed, but what were the criteria used? We want to see coaches being shortlisted and those deserving getting a chance,” he added.
“For example, what can Firat achieve in two months? This is a national team and long-term solutions are needed. Not quick fixes.”
