National team, Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has pointed out that most Kenyan players lack the physical aspect of the game with dieting being a remedy to plug the gap.

Firat said while talent is important, there is a need to focus on helping the players build on their physicality as the modern game has evolved tremendously. 

He admitted that though his players were able to match their Cameroon counterparts in a recent 2025 Africa Cup of Nation qualifier doubleheader, the West African side were more physical and this made some difference.

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“Talent alone is not enough. Diet is very important as well and it starts at a young age. If our players were maybe 12 or 13 years old, we could put them on a diet to help them get the right body structure but as it is now, it is not possible and we will always have a disadvantage in this aspect,” he said.

Firat is also delighted about the performance of the national under-20 side in the ongoing CECAFA junior tournament in Tanzania but insists he would still have a problem picking most of the players for the senior side owing to their physicality.

“They are playing very well and scoring some great goals. We also have to point out that they are yet to be tested by teams from West Africa whose players are more physically built and will give some good competition on the pitch.

There are one or two players we may want to work with in the senior team though they will need to build more muscle.”

Regarding the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers, Firat said he has started the process of identifying players as he had just been informed about the match against Libya.

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Source: 90MIN 

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Mentions: Engin Firat Harambee Stars West Africa CHAN AFCON 2027