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Kenya's Coach Criticises Referee, Calls Out Warriors' "Negative" Tactics

Kenya's Coach Criticises Referee, Calls Out Warriors' "Negative" Tactics

Kenya national team coach Engin Firat has criticised Senegalese referee Adalbert Diouf, who officiated their 2025 AFCON Qualifiers Group J match against Zimbabwe on Friday.

The match, hosted at Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda, ended in a 0-0 draw.

In his post-match comments, Firat claimed that the referee should have issued red cards to Warriors forward Khama Billiat and defender Gerald Takwara for dangerous play.

He also accused Zimbabwe of adopting a negative style of football, saying the Warriors were “only defending and not playing.”

Takwara received only a yellow card for a crude challenge on Amos Nondi in the 66th minute, while Billiat, who was booked in the 23rd minute, avoided a second caution later in the match.

Firat further criticised the referee for failing to award Kenya a penalty after Austin Odhiambo fell inside the Warriors’ penalty area. He told reporters (via Soccer24):

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.

Billiat should have been sent off for a second bookable offence. 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.

More: Pindula News

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