Ghost Mulee Identifies Key Tactical Flaw in Harambee Stars' Draw Against Zimbabwe
The former Harambee Stars coach has criticized Firat's tactics following the team's 0-0 draw with Zimbabwe last Friday.
Sharon Koech
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Following Harambee Stars' goalless draw against Zimbabwe in their opening 2025 AFCON qualifier, former Harambee Stars coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee has voiced his concerns about the team's performance and tactical choices.
The match, held in Uganda due to stadium issues in Kenya, ended without a win, leaving many fans and stakeholders feeling disappointed and frustrated, as it was seen as a missed opportunity for the team.
A major talking point has been coach Engin Firat’s decision to bench all three of the team’s recognized strikers, a move that has been met with widespread criticism from fans and analysts alike.
In his comments, Mulee highlighted the absence of a clear goal-scoring threat, criticizing the team’s approach throughout the match. “We didn’t dare to field a striker. We lacked someone hungry for goals, a true predator,” Mulee stated, as reported by Mozzart Sport.
He further elaborated, “It’s Firat’s tactics, and I don’t want to dwell on that too much, but from what I saw, I don’t think we would have scored at any point in that game.”
Mulee, who has previously coached Harambee Stars and Tusker FC, expressed his frustration with the team’s setup, particularly the decision to play some players out of their usual positions. He specifically mentioned Duke Abuya, who was used as a striker despite traditionally excelling in a deeper attacking role.
“I saw Duke Abuya playing as a striker. Historically, he plays behind the striker. When you put him in front, it becomes difficult for him to perform effectively, unlike a natural striker,” Mulee explained.
The former coach argued that one of the natural strikers—Jonah Ayunga, Benson Omala, or Masoud Juma—should have been fielded to provide the necessary attacking edge and create goal-scoring opportunities.
“Perhaps Ayunga, Omala, or Avire—someone who knows how to score goals. That was our main issue. I wouldn’t necessarily say that Firat’s tactics were entirely poor, but the absence of a striker was a significant problem,” Mulee commented.
While he did not directly condemn Firat’s tactical approach, Mulee made it clear that he would have handled the game differently, stressing that an out-and-out striker was essential for a match of such importance.
“As a coach, I wouldn’t approach a game like this without a dedicated striker. Omala has been playing there, Avire has experience in that role, and they both know how to find the back of the net,” Mulee concluded.
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