Engin Firat, the head coach of the Harambee Stars, has pleaded with furious Kenyan football fans to have patience with the men's national team.

PHOTO | COURTESY Stars manager Engin Firat asks for patience 

The Mellis squad defeated the Turkish team 2-1 in a thrilling international friendly match on Tuesday at the Azadi Stadium in Tehran after the Turkish coach's team blew a second-half advantage.

They first argued that he needed more time to work out the issues preventing Kenya's international attempts from succeeding.

Although work is still to be done today, we will be ready in a year. To grow, we need more time, Firat said.

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The team's coach went to their defence, claiming that they battled valiantly despite only recently emerging from a protracted slump brought on by a suspension imposed by Fifa. This organization governed world football in February of last year.

PHOTO | COURTESY Engin Firat in training with Harambee Stars

These boys require time, I've always said. They had yet to participate in a game together, and Iran was their dangerous foe. It was always going to be difficult. I do like how they played and competed for everything, though.

Although we regrettably fell short, everyone knows the course we must take.

After being disqualified from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying rounds, the Harambee StTheir next significant task may be the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which is only accessible to athletes that play in the regional leagues.

Iran prevailed 2-1 over the Harambee Stars in a thrilling friendly game on Tuesday at Azadi Stadium in Tehran after the Harambee Stars lost a second-half advantage. In the 51st minute, the brave Stars gained the lead, and skipper Michael Olunga became the talk of the country. Ars won't participate in any competitive games for the following eight months.

Their next significant task may be the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which is only accessible to athletes that play in the regional leagues.

Iran prevailed 2-1 over the Harambee Stars in a thrilling friendly game on Tuesday at Azadi Stadium in Tehran after the Harambee Stars lost a second-half advantage. In the 51st minute, the brave Stars gained the lead, and skipper Michael Olunga became the talk of the country.

Olunga took down an opponent in the middle of the field and danced around a defender before expertly lobbing the ball into the bottom corner of the net beyond the Iranian goalie.

The Kenya Police goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, however, made two simple mistakes that made it easy for the hosts to score two goals, undoing his earlier excellent performance in which he kept his composure under pressure to make three daring saves.

PHOTO | COURTESY Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat in action

Matasi was taken off guard when Mohammed Mohebi's well-placed free kick from approximately 20 yards out effortlessly soared over the goalie and slammed into the back of the net.

The former Tusker FC goalkeeper carelessly allowed Ramin Rezaeian's poor attempt from a tight corner to slide between his cupped hands with only six minutes left to double Iran's lead.

The Kenyan players returned to the defensive third after taking the lead, giving their opponents plenty of space to put up a play and make further gains.