Former Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat has died after suffering a sudden heart attack, his club has confirmed.
Firat, who had recently taken up a coaching role at Lebanese side Nejmeh SC, passed away on Monday, March 9, while travelling through Istanbul Airport.
According to a statement released by the club, the coach collapsed after experiencing a heart attack while at the airport as he prepared to travel to Adana shortly after departing Beirut.
In a statement mourning his death, the Lebanese club described Firat as a committed professional who demonstrated strong leadership and high ethical standards during his time with the team.
“With great sadness and sorrow, Star Athletic Club mourns first team coach captain Engin Firat, who passed away following a sudden heart attack,” the club said in its tribute.
Firat had only recently been appointed head coach of Nejmeh SC on February 8, 2026, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his coaching career after working in several countries.
During his short time with the club, he had already begun making an impact, leading the team through its early matches while maintaining an unbeaten record and guiding them into a domestic cup final.
His appointment also saw him reunite with several Kenyan players currently playing for the club.
Among them are Anthony Akumu, widely known as “Teddy”, Masud Juma and Austin Odhiambo. The trio previously played under Firat during his tenure as coach of the Kenyan national team.
Firat served as head coach of Harambee Stars where he worked closely with local and international-based players as he sought to strengthen the squad and improve Kenya’s performance in regional and international competitions.
During his time with the national team, he built strong relationships with several Kenyan players and was widely recognised for his tactical knowledge and commitment to developing the squad.
His sudden death has shocked the football fraternity both locally and internationally, with players, fans and football officials mourning the loss of a coach who contributed to the development of Kenyan football.
Tributes are expected to continue pouring in from across the football community as colleagues and players remember Firat for his dedication to the sport.
His passing marks the end of a career that saw him work with clubs and national teams across different countries while leaving a lasting impact on the players he coached.
