Harambee Stars midfielder reveals heartwarming final text from late Engin Firat hours before demise

“He called me while I was in Cairo waiting for my connecting flight. He wanted to find out how I was fairing and he encouraged me to keep fit as we would be going back to Nejmeh soon. I am devastated by the loss,” said Akumu.

The 33-year-old, while paying tribute to the late tactician, said he will be greatly missed as he had already made a big impact not just at Nejmeh but in Lebanese football as a whole.

“He joined us less than one month ago, but we are already in the final of the Cup competition, and we were looking forward to doing well in the league.

His presence had made a huge impact on the club as well as the country at large. We will miss him, but that is life,” said Akumu.

Akumu, together with Austin Odhiambo and Masoud Juma, feature for the Lebanese side and are currently in Nairobi after the country’s league was suspended due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

According to a statement released by Nejmeh, the Turkish-Cypriot tactician collapsed at Istanbul Airport while returning to Turkey from Beirut.

“To Allah we belong, and to Him we shall return. With great sadness and sorrow, Star Athletic Club mourns first team coach Captain Engin Firat, who passed away following a sudden heart attack at Istanbul Airport while on his way to Adana, a few hours after leaving Beirut for his country,” the club said in a statement.

The club further praised Firat’s professionalism and the impact he made during his short time in charge.

“During the time he spent with the club, the deceased was known for his professional commitment and high ethics, and he left a good impression among the team and the members of the Nejmeh family,” the statement added.

Firat took over as head coach of Harambee Stars in 2021 on a short-term interim contract that was later formalised.

He remained in charge until December 2024, when his tenure ended following criticism from then Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.