Harambee Stars Coach Engin Firat Tells Kenyan Footballers to Play Abroad Rather Than KPL

• Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat wants Kenyan footballers to play overseas
• A few Kenyan international footballers play abroad, including Michael Olunga
• Firat believes the Kenyan Premier League is not at the level it was a few years ago

Harambee Stars coach, Engin Firat, has challenged Kenyan footballers to move abroad if the opportunity comes rather than play in the Kenya Premier League.

The Turkish coach tactician believes the Kenyan league is not on the level it was a few years ago.

Kenya's best player, Michael Olunga, currently plays in the Middle East. Most of Firat's squad for November's 2026 World Cup qualifiers were made up of local and foreign-based players like Olunga.

Firat challenged Kenyan players to play in top leagues.

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“My advice to our local players is that if they feel they are good enough, then they should seek to play in big leagues to improve not just their skills but also the competitiveness of Harambee Stars,” he said via Mozzart Sport.

The Tanzanian league appears to be the best in the region. Opta Analyst recently ranked Yanga and Simba among the top 10 best clubs in Africa.

Firat's team will participate in a four-team tournament in Malawi this month. Other teams in the tournament are Zambia and Zimbabwe. They face African champions Ivory Coast later this year.

Firat's Plea to Kenya

Sports Brief earlier reported on Firat asking for more investment in the Kenyan sporting infrastructure.

Firat has urged the government to consider the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a legacy project, explicitly focusing on upgrading facilities.

He stressed the importance of renovating and rehabilitating pitches to international standards, asserting that this improvement will contribute significantly to the game's growth.

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Firat laments Kenya's lack of creativity

Sports Brief reported when Firat claimed that Kenya lacks creative players following the damaging defeat to South Sudan on Tuesday, September 12.

The national football team went down to Africa's youngest nation by a solitary goal in front of a well-attended game at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Speaking after the South Sudan defeat, Firat went into a tirade, blaming poor working conditions as a detriment to his goal.