Pooled in Group F, Kenya’s journey started with a 2-1 away defeat against Gabon, but they recovered to beat Seychelles 5-0 in their matchday two. They travelled to face Burundi, and managed a 1-1 draw, before forcing African champions Ivory Coast to a 0-0 outcome.
Kenya’s matchday five fixture took them to Gambia when they secured a thrilling 3-3 comeback draw, before returning home to lose 2-1 against Gabon. Though they had a slim chance to secure a World Cup spot heading into matchday seven against Gambia, Kenya were not able to capitalise on the opportunity.
Playing at home and spurred on by a sold-out crowd, Kenya suffered a 3-1 defeat spearheaded by Yankuba Minteh. The Brighton & Hove Albion winger grabbed a brace before Musa Barrow, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al-Taawoun ended their dream with the third goal.
Though Kenya recovered in matchday eight to complete a double over Seychelles after hammering them 5-0, their qualification chances had already gone up in smoke, with Ivory Coast stretching their lead at the top to 20 points, 11 more than Harambee Stars, who dropped to fifth with nine points.
When is Kenya versus Burundi and Ivory Coast?
Both matches will be played away, marking the conclusion of the Harambee Stars’ qualification campaign. Kenya will first face Burundi on Friday, October 9th, at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium, before wrapping up their campaign against Ivory Coast on Tuesday, October 14th, at Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium.
How can I watch Kenya's matches?
Kenya’s first match against Burundi on Friday will kick off at 1600hrs, and will be streamed live by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Facebook page.
The second fixture against the African champions, which will be the final of the qualifiers for Kenya, is scheduled to kick off at 22:00 hours and will also be transmitted live on FKF social media accounts.
What has Kenya coach McCarthy said?
Kenya coach Benni McCarthy has warned Ivory Coast not to expect any favours from his side when they face off. The South African legend has maintained the desire of the East Africans to win the remaining two matches.
“It is World Cup qualifiers, it is opportunity for us to try and collect maximum points, but we know what is at stake as well, and we know that it’s us going into the lion’s Den because for Ivory Coast a win will secure them automatic qualification for the World Cup,” McCarthy told Flashscore in a previous interview.
“We know we are not there to do favours for anyone, so for us we are going there to play a match against a team that we want to win, we want three points, and that is our task, our objective, and for us to lose, we have to lose to a team that we knew, we had no opportunities, no possibilities of winning the game, that is the only way.”
He added: “We respect any team, doesn’t matter who we play, we respect our opponents because we are human beings, as people you respect your peers, but when you walk over those white lines, and then the respect disappears, and then it is all about us wanting to showcase where we are, and the qualities that we have.
“That is what we are going to do, so just because we are playing Ivory Coast, now we have to lose all our dignity because we are playing the African champions, or they play in one of Africa’s strongest nations out there, it doesn’t work like that, football is not played on paper, it is played on the pitch, and we are going out there to play the best football that we can possibly can, and hopefully to win the game.”
Speaking on behalf of the players, defender Daniel Sakari said they will use the two qualifiers to build a great foundation for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
“We have prepared well, and we are going for all six points in the upcoming two games. We are building up gradually. It is a good foundation for the upcoming home AFCON tournament in 2027,” he said.
Harambee Stars have already landed in Burundi with McCarthy recalling forward Adam Wilson as a late inclusion to the squad.
