Fortnight of Fire! Ex-Harambee Stars coach Firat celebrates start to life in Lebanon
By Luke Oluoch, February 27, 2026Former Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has celebrated his epic and successful start to life in Lebanon.
In a post on his Instagram page, the new Nejmeh SC coach—home to the Harambee Stars trio of Masud Juma, Teddy Akumu, and Austin Odhiambo—highlighted his first two weeks.
Ranking high among his early achievements in Beirut is sealing the team’s berth in the domestic cup final in his debut appearance on Wednesday, February 11, 2026.
No time for speeches
“14 days at Nejmeh. No time for speeches,” he posted on his Instagram page.
Al-Nejmeh edged rivals Jwaya 2-1 to avenge a first-leg defeat, sending the clash to penalties, where they triumphed 4-3 to claim a place in the cup final.
League campaign
The club has also been successful on the league front, running out 4-0 winners over Al-Abbassieh FC in their league clash on Saturday, February 21, 2026.
In both clashes, the Kenyan imports have been instrumental, with all three involved as Nejmeh SC booked their place in the Lebanese Cup final.
Odhiambo, Juma, and Akumu all started as Nejmeh edged past Jwaya 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regular time.
In the league assignment, Juma bagged a brace in Nejmeh SC’s emphatic victory, which moved the club up the Lebanese Premier League table.
Masud Juma’s form
The double took Masud’s tally for the season to 7 goals in 12 games. The attacker has also provided 2 assists in the process.
Firat replaced Radhi Jaidi as the head coach at the club on February 8, 2026, his arrival coinciding with the signing of Harambee Stars ace Austie Odhiambo, who arrived from Gor Mahia.
The Turkish-German tactician who guided Kenya through 2021 before resigning in 2024 is tasked with returning the club to its former glory.
The club is a 9-time league champion and is seeking to reclaim the league title they last won in the 2023/24 campaign. They have enjoyed almost similar success in the FA Cup, winning the trophy 8 times.