KENYA head national football team coach Engin Firat has raised a red flag, blaming Senegalese referee Edabelrt Diouf for their failure to crack the Warriors on Friday in their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Firat made these remarks after the Harambee Stars were held to a goalless draw by the Warriors.
The match was played at Stade Nelson Mandela Stadium in Kampala, Uganda.
Kenya expected a win, however, it was not to be as the visiting Warriors put up a decent performance to snatch a vital point in the Group J contest.
Moreso, without their usually deadly striker Michael Olunga, the coach emerged a disappointed man after the match.
Firat felt The Warriors were aided by the referee of the day. He believes star player Khama Billiat should have been red-carded in the first half.
Instead, Billiat was yellow-carded after he committed a foul as Kenya threatened, with goalie Washington Arubi left exposed.
“The referee should not help a team on the pitch. There were so many situations where I had no idea what he was seeing. Takwara should have been shown a red card for a dangerous foul in the second half.
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“Billiat should have been sent off for a second bookable offense. Austin was fouled in the box, yet nothing was given. Why is it always us?
“It was not okay what happened today (Friday). I am not happy with the referee. To improve football, the referee should not side with teams that are only defending and not playing," Firat said.
Meanwhile The Warriors have shifted their focus to the next assignment against Cameroon on Tuesday, September 10. Hopes are that they will give a good account of themselves when they meet the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon.
