News has emerged about the death of former Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat, who once led Kenya’s national football team. Firat died after suffering a sudden heart attack on Monday, March 9.
His club, Nejmeh SC, confirmed the news and shared details about the incident. According to the club, Firat was at Istanbul Airport when the medical emergency occurred. He had just left Beirut and was traveling to Adana as part of his professional duties with the Lebanese club, where he was serving as the first team coach.
Nejmeh said Firat collapsed at the airport shortly after arriving. Despite efforts to respond to the situation, he passed away following the heart attack. The club later released a statement mourning his death and remembering his work with the team.
Firat had been leading Nejmeh’s first team and was known among players and staff as a disciplined and committed coach. The club described him as a professional who valued strong ethics and treated those around him with respect.
“With great sadness, Star Athletic Club mourns first team coach Captain Engin Firat, who passed away following a sudden heart attack while at Istanbul Airport on his way to Adana, just hours after leaving Beirut,” the club said in a statement.
During his career, Firat worked with several teams and national sides. In Kenya, he coached Harambee Stars and oversaw a number of international matches and tournaments. His time with the team brought experience drawn from European and Middle Eastern football.
His death has left players, staff, and football supporters in shock. Many people in the football community are remembering him for his dedication to the game and his work with teams in different countries.
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