Engin Firat’s death: 5 most memorable moments of late Harambee Stars coach

As the world mourns the loss of Engin Fırat, the former Harambee Stars coach, Kenyan football and fans globally remember a figure whose passion, personality, and commitment left a lasting mark.

Fırat tragically passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the age of 55 after suffering a sudden heart attack at Istanbul Airport while returning from Beirut, where he had coached Nejmeh SC.

His passing was confirmed by the Lebanese club, and the Football Kenya Federation paid tribute, highlighting his contributions to Kenyan football during his tenure from 2021 to late 2024.

While his on-field record was mixed, it was Fırat’s leadership and memorable moments that left fans with lasting memories. Here are five of the most notable highlights of his Harambee Stars era:

1. ‘Flying to Mars’ comment

One of Fırat’s most memorable remarks came ahead of Kenya’s friendly against the Qatar national football team in 2023. Describing the experience of playing in a modern World Cup stadium, he said it would feel like “flying to Mars” for Kenyan players.

The comment reflected the stark contrast between Kenya’s modest football infrastructure and Qatar’s state-of-the-art facilities built for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The quote quickly went viral among fans and became one of the most widely remembered soundbites from his tenure.

2. Historic 2–1 victory over Qatar

That same match turned into one of Kenya’s biggest international results under Fırat. Harambee Stars stunned Qatar 2–1 in Doha, defeating the reigning 2019 AFC Asian Cup champions on their home turf.

Qatar were heavy favourites, ranked significantly higher in the FIFA standings and playing in front of their home crowd. The victory was widely celebrated as a major upset and demonstrated Kenya’s ability to compete against stronger teams under Fırat’s tactical setup.

3. Salary dispute that reached FIFA

Off the pitch, Fırat’s tenure also included a major financial dispute with the Football Kenya Federation. After claims of going months without pay, with arrears estimated at Ksh 75 million, he resigned in December 2024 and escalated the matter to FIFA by filing a complaint through its Dispute Resolution Chamber.

Fırat claimed the federation had failed to honour his contract and pay several months of salary and bonuses owed to him. The case drew international attention and exposed ongoing financial challenges within Kenyan football administration.

4. Winning the 2024 Four Nations Cup

One of the few trophies during Fırat’s tenure came in March 2024, when Kenya won the Four Nations Cup in Malawi.

Harambee Stars began the campaign with a convincing 4–0 victory over hosts Malawi before defeating Zimbabwe 3–1 in the final. The tournament win provided a morale boost for the squad and showed glimpses of the progress Fırat hoped to build with the team.

Stop dreaming

When Harambee Stars failed to qualify for the AFCON finals in 2025, he instead urged the fans to stop dreaming because the national team is facing so many problems, he believes.

“But for us, maybe we have to realise what we have and stop dreaming. We know about the many times I have had a problem with our football. It’s even getting worse. We need to look at reality and instead of all we want, ask with what.

“Things on the outside can always change, but our record in this tournament explains everything,” he said.

Part of the coach’s job is to find solutions to the problems, but Firat is known for whining every time his team is exposed.

“It’s clear that we have a goal-scoring problem that we need to find a solution to if we are to move up to a higher level. I wish we could have solved the problem better earlier, but we couldn’t change it,” he added.

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