Harambee Stars legend John Bobby Ogolla has attributed the team’s back-to-back losses against five-time African champions Cameroon to coach Engin Firat’s decision to change a winning team.
Stars suffered a 4-1 defeat to Cameroon in the first leg, played last Friday in Yaounde, and further fell 1-0 in the return leg staged on Monday at Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Uganda.
On paper, Stars stood minimal or no chance to upset Cameroon going the rift in class between the two sides, experience, and the Indomitable Lions’ record in qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations among other factors.
However, Ogolla opines that the team would have done better had Firat not made unnecessary changes to the team that beat Namibia in round two of the qualifiers.
FIRAT PLANNED TO FAIL
In a tell-it-all interview with SportsBoom, Ogolla struggled to find a reason why Firat benched some of the players who were outstanding in the opening two rounds of the qualifiers against; Zimbabwe and Namibia.
Stars were firmly in control of Group A of the qualifiers, heading to consecutive matches against Cameroon, thanks to the unbeaten start. Kenya launched the bid to seal a return ticket to the AFCON with a barren draw against Zimbabwe before beating Namibia 2-1 in a match played in South Africa.
Firat was expected to field some of the players who won away to Namibia but he rang changes in crucial departments among them is the goalkeeping, a gamble that backfired. The decision to field Patrick Matasi in goal ahead of Bryne Omondi raised eyebrows and would prove costly as the former was at fault for two of the four goals Cameroon scored in the first leg.
Ogolla wondered what might have prompted Firat to make the changes yet Stars, who were deployed in the first two matches, had demonstrated the ability to deliver. The former defender deduced that Firat planned to fail in the two matches by being inconsistent in selecting the best starting team, and should take full responsibility for the dropped points.
“We got what we deserved from the two matches. The coach was not consistent in selecting the starting team. He also made a mistake by making very unnecessary changes to the team that beat Namibia. I do not understand why he keeps on changing the team yet he has been with the majority of the players for more than a year,” he told SportsBoom.com in a telephone interview.
WE WERE DISORGANISED
Ogolla further faulted Firat for failing to demonstrate top-of-the-drawer organisational skills which he feels contributed to the poor results. The former Gor Mahia assistant coach wondered why it was difficult for Firat to plot for positive results yet the domestic league took a break on time in order for him to have time with national team players.
Ogolla also castigated Firat for failing to get the best from the team that he observed is littered with talent that is good enough to match any team in the continent.
“We have talented players but we are very disorganized. The coach keeps on disrupting the chemistry between the players by making changes in the team and fielding others out of preferred positions. He also had a good time with the players and still could not get the best from them,” he criticised.
NO CHANCE TO QUALIFY
Having watched the team struggle to get positive results against Cameroon, Ogolla expressed fears that Stars might as well have blown up chances of qualifying.
Kenya will have to beat Zimbabwe and Namibia next month and pray that Cameroon also floors the Warriors to qualify. Ogolla, a respected figure in Kenyan football expressed doubts that Zimbabwe will let the advantage they are enjoying slip from their grip as the team needs a point to join Cameroon in qualifying.
“Much as it is mathematically possible, it is very difficult and we have ourselves to blame. I am sure Namibia will do everything possible to finish strongly even though they are already out. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, will go for the point by all means possible,” he stated.
FIRAT SHOULD SPARE KENYANS EXCUSES
While responding to Firat’s future with Stars following the losses against Cameroon, Ogolla steered clear of it but shared words of advice to the former Moldova national team coach.
Ogolla said he was fed up with the excuses Firat comes up whenever the team registers poor results or when other coaches raise concerns over his tactics and methods. The former Kenya Police coach told Firat to remain focused on his job rather than engage in excuses and exchanges with anyone with a contrary opinion to his.
“He should learn to shut his mouth and do his job. His excuses are sickening and sometimes border disrespect,” he said.
