Kenyan soccer coach James Nandwa has blamed Harambee Stars tactician Engin Firat for mistakes witnessed in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Cameroon.
Firat, who had the options of Bryne Omondi and Ian Otieno, started Patrick Matasi in goal, and the experienced goalkeeper has come under criticism for how he performed in Yaounde.
The Police FC goalkeeper could not keep away a shot by Martin Hongla, leading to Cameroon’s second goal in the 39th minute. He was again at fault when he was rather easily beaten by a shot from Christian Bassogog in the 55th minute.
Nandwa says that it is time Firat corrects these mistakes by picking the right goalkeeper.
“In the goalkeeping area, he [Firat] has to correct it; we are complaining all the time, saying the goalkeeper is not good enough. Why doesn’t he take the best goalkeeper? We have so many goalkeepers; do not complain and still field the same guy.
“Changing goalkeepers has an effect on the team, and it also depends on how you have trained them. Matasi could be good at stopping but maybe poor in his decision-making or playing out from the back,” Nandwa said, as quoted by a local publication.
The former Thika United head coach also questioned Matasi’s confidence and picked his Cameroon counterpart, Andre Onana, while explaining the need to show belief in every game.
“The other one could be good at other things, but maybe his concentration is not there. If you notice there is a problem, put them in a condition where the defence does not expose them. But as a goalkeeper, you also have to offer stability to the team.
“Like Andre Onana once said, he believes in himself. People despise him, but he believes he is the best in the world. That is all you need,” the tacticians added.
Kenya lost 4-1, and this is their first defeat in the qualifiers.
Scrutiny
Firat will be under scrutiny again when Kenya hosts the Indomitable Lions at Kampala’s Mandela National Stadium for the second leg of the AFCON qualifier on Monday, October 14, 2024.
How he picks his starting XI, especially his choice in the goalkeeping area, is expected to be a matter of national debate again.
