Despite the Harambe stars failing to win the 2024 COSAFA Cup, their head coach Engin Firat has revealed that the just-ended Southern African regional tournament has given him a chance to look at new players.
Angola defeated Namibia 5-0 in the 2024 COSAFA Cup final on Sunday in South Africa, to win the title of champions.
Firat was in the stands to watch the Harambee Emerging Stars, who were playing at the 2024 COSAFA Cup in South Africa as a guest nation.
The Harambee Stars replaced Malawi, which withdrew when their Vice President Saulos Chilima died in a horrific plane crash.
Kenya was in the same group as former defending champions Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Islanders the Comoros.
They managed to beat Zambia and Zimbabwe by 2-0 scorelines while suffering a 2-0 defeat to Comoros.
Firat explained that the tournament gave the under-23 players and fringe players a chance to showcase their potential.
“It was a good tournament for me to see those who had not been getting a lot of gametime on the main team, as well as some new players I wanted to see at a higher level,” Firat told Pulse Sports.
The gaffer adds that he has seen some players that can step in and be part of the 2025 Africa Cup qualifiers starting in September.
“I saw enough about the players that played there and now have a clear idea of who I can invite when the next international window emerges,” added Firat.
READ ALSO: Angola wins first COSAFA Cup in 20 years, Gonçalves reacts.
Kenya, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon are drawn into Group B of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers. Their final Africa Cup appearance came during Egypt’s hosting of the competition in 2019.
