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Kenya chase for key points in first tie against Gambia

Harambee Stars players arrive in Abidjan on March 18 , 202ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifier against Gambia scheduled for Thursday. 

Photo credit: Pool | FKF

By  Cecil Odongo

Reporter

Nation Media Group

What you need to know:

  • South African coach McCarthy set for his first outing with Harambee Stars today.

Kenya, desperate for points to get their 2026 World Cup  campaign back on track, face Gambia for the first time in history today in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

The Group “F” qualifying match will kick off at 10pm (Kenyan time) at the 60,000-capacity Stade Alassane Ouattara Stadium that hosted the final of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations final.

Gambia are staging this, their home match in Cote d’Ivoire due to the lack of a Fifa certified stadium in their country.

Related

Harambee Stars head to Côte d’Ivoire for 2026 World Cup qualifier

Harambee Stars have indeed never faced Gambia in a competitive match in the history of international football making today’s clash even more interesting as both nations look to improve on their group position.

Kenya lie fourth on five points and Gambia fifth with three points.

The last time Harambee Stars won away from home in a World Cup qualifier was way back on October 7, 2015 when they thumped Mauritius 5-2 in Port Louis.

Gambia are ranked 125 in the latest Fifa ranking while Kenya are at position 108.This will be the first outing of South African coach Benni McCarthy with Harambee Stars.

The former Uefa Champions League winner with Porto in 2004, took up the Kenya job on March 3. His Gambian counterpart Johnathan McKinstry has been at the helm for two years.

McKinstry coached Gor Mahia between July 2022 to May 24, 2024 where he won two league titles and has indicated he will use his knowledge of Kenyan football to bring down the Stars.

A Gambian player who could be familiar to Kenya is Azam left footed forward, Gibril Sillah, who has also plied his trade with Moroccan giants Raja Casablanca.

Kenya should also watch out for Alasana Yirajang who plays for Podbrezova in the Slovakian Premier League.
McCarthy is relying on Kenya’s foreign-based players.

His travelling squad of -- has just four home-based players, viz. Rooney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Farouk Shikalo (Bandari), Mansur Okwaro (KCB) , Mohamed Bajeber (Kenya Police) and Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia).

Qatari’s Al Duhail hitman Michael Olunga will once again lead the Kenyan frontline.

“The new coach believes in us and we are looking forward to this fixture. Gambia is an upcoming team and have a good squad so we have to give our best,” said Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga.

“With the good preparation we have had, we are going to see a good result from the young lads in the team,” added Olunga.

Favourites Cote d’Ivoire lead the group on 10 points, followed by Gabon (9) and Burundi (7)

Kenya squad:

Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire,  Farouk Shikalo 

Defenders: Johnstone Omurwa, Brian Mandela, Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Erick Ouma, Manzur Okwaro, Ronny Onyango 

Midfielders: Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Gonzalez Ismael, Timothy Ouma, Eric Johana, Duke Abuya, Mohamed Bajaber, Ben Stanley Omondi 

Forwards: Masoud Juma, Jonah Ayunga, Elvis Rupia, John Avire, Michael Olunga