Engin Firat's most trusted Lieutenants since taking over at Harambee Stars

Exactly one week from today, Tuesday 12 September 2023, Engin Firat will be exactly two years old at the helm of Kenya's national team Harambee Stars technical bench.

Two years of, mostly, turmoil starting with the 5-0 defeat by Mali in October 2021 in his first match in charge of Harambee Stars when he was barely a month old in his job.

Two years that were hugely disrupted following Kenya's suspension by FIFA for government interference.

The suspension saw Kenya stay in the cold for almost a year hence missing on the 2023 Arica Cup of Nations Qualifiers.

But also, two years that have resulted in hope in the national team once again going by the most recent game; the 2-1 win over Qatar in Doha, and with yet another chance for the national team to showcase the same or even better at home soil this afternoon (Tuesday 12 September) when they take on South Sudan at the Kasarani Stadium.

Renewed optimism, yes. But, too early to call it? Only time will tell with the 2026 World Cup Qualifying campaign on the horizon.

If the match away to Qatar is something to go by, then the general at the Harambee Stars camp seems to be having his work right, for now.

But just like any other general, he has had his trusted lieutenants in the eight matches he has been in charge, with only eight playing at least 75% of those matches.

Michael Olunga (8/8)

Captain Michael Olunga has been Firat's first name on the team sheet since taking over.

The Al Duhail striker has played every minute of all eight games since the appointment of the Turkish tactician.

In those eight matches, he has scored three goals, managing to find the net in the matches against Uganda, Rwanda, and Iran.

D-day as Harambee Stars welcome South Sudan in first home match after almost two years

Ouma, Odada (7/8)

Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma and Richard Odada have been instrumental for Firat, playing in seven out of the eight matches he has been in charge.

Apart from the match against Uganda which they both missed, they have been starters in each of the other seven matches since October 2021.

While Odada has played full minutes in six of the matches bar for the one pitting Rwanda, Ouma has clocked 90 in five except in the clashes against Rwanda and the first leg against Mali.

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Okumu, Nondi, Akumu, Aboud, Muguna (6/8)

Joseph Okumu, Amos Nondi, Anthony Akumu, Aboud Omar, and Kenneth Muguna are the only other players who have played at least 75% of the matches since Firat took over.

Okumu leads this class of six having played the entire length in all the six he has featured in.

Despite not playing regular club football, Akumu has been a regular for Firat, starting in all the last six matches and going on to complete five.