Former Harambee Stars Coach Engin Fırat Passes Away at 56
Turkish football coach Engin Fırat has died at the age of 56 after suffering a sudden heart attack. The incident occurred at Istanbul Airport in Turkey, where he collapsed shortly after arriving from Beirut.
His current club, Lebanese Premier League team Nejmeh SC, where he had recently taken over as head coach, confirmed the heartbreaking news on March 9, 2026. Fırat had been working with several Kenyan players at the club, including Austin Odhiambo, Anthony Akumu, and Masoud Juma.
Fırat is best remembered in Kenya for his tenure as head coach of the national team, Harambee Stars, from 2021 to late 2024. He took charge during a turbulent period marked by Kenya's suspension from international competitions, administrative challenges, and limited competitive opportunities. Despite these obstacles, he focused on friendly matches and training camps while openly discussing issues like the absence of FIFA-approved stadiums and logistical difficulties. His outspoken style and efforts to build team spirit left a lasting impression on players and fans, even if results were mixed.
The football community has been left in shock and mourning following Fırat's unexpected passing. Tributes have poured in from former players, supporters, and administrators in Kenya and beyond, reflecting on his contributions across various countries, including stints with national teams like Moldova and Iran before his club role in Lebanon. His death marks the end of a notable chapter in Harambee Stars' history and a loss felt widely in the global football fraternity.
