2027 Afcon qualifiers: No respite for McCarthy as Stars lose to Guinea

Kenya’s poor start in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign continued on Thursday evening as the team fell 1-0 to Guinea in Conakry.

The Group ‘D’ contest was played at the 25,000-capacity Stade 28 Septembre, and Harambee Stars went into the match on the backdrop of a disappointing 1-1 draw against lowly ranked Eritrea on September 26 at Nyayo National Stadium.

Borussia Dortmund’s forward Serhou Guirassy, who has had an maintained impressive scoring form in the Bundesliga and in the Uefa Champions League, scored the lone goal for the Syli National in the 32nd minute of the match.

Kenya’s defence failed to deal with a dangerous ball by Guinea into the box, allowing the forward to pounce and score from close range.

Read: Why East African countries are banking on foreign coaches to shine in 2027 Afcon

The experienced 30-year-old has scored two goals in four Bundesliga appearances this season, and also netted twice in a single Uefa Champions League match.

The result lifted Guinea to second in Group ‘D’ on three points, behind South Africa, who have six points. Both teams have played two matches each.
Kenya and Eritrea have one point each, and the Harambee Stars are third on goal difference.

Apart from Kenya, who are assured of automatic qualification for 2027 Afcon as one of the three co-hosts, Eritrea, South Africa and Guinea are battling for a single remaining qualification slot in Group ‘D’.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy made four changes to the team that started in the 1-1 draw against Eritrea on September 26 in Nairobi.

Mohamed Bajaber and Ben Stanley, who impressed after coming on as substitutes against Eritrea, were handed starting berths, alongside Tusker forward Chris Erambo and Gor Mahia defender Mike Kibwage.

Belgium-based forward Ryan Ogam, who missed several chances against Eritrea, started on the bench, alongside defender Hanif Wesonga, Timothy Ouma and Aboud Omar.

Kenya’s best chance 

Guinea were the better side throughout the first half, dominating possession and squandering several clear chances that could have given them a bigger lead.

Just six minutes into the match, forward Aliou Balde won a free kick after being fouled by Manzur Okwaro.

Guirassy took the resulting free kick but was unlucky as his effort struck the Kenyan wall.

Harambee Stars launched a promising counter-attack, but Bajaber’s effort was blocked in the heart of the Guinea defence.

The hosts almost took the lead in the 13th minute when Guirassy unleashed a fierce low shot that struck the post, with Harambee Stars goalkeeper Bryne Omondi diving the right way.

Guinea had the pace and possession, while Kenya were largely reduced to chasing shadows, sitting deep and hoping for counter-attacks that rarely materialised.

Bajaber received the first booking of the match for a foul on Balde, who was a constant threat to Kenya’s defence from the right wing.

Kenya improved from the 20th minute and even won a corner, which Micah Obiero headed wide.

Guinea’s pressure finally paid off in the 32nd minute when Kenya’s defence failed to clear a ball inside the box. It fell to Guirassy, who made no mistake from close range.

Read: Benni McCarthy: Off-field issues cost Kenya against Eritrea in Afcon qualifier

Harambee Stars survived by a whisker in the 45th minute when midfielder Abdoul Karim Traore squandered in a one-on-one situation against Omondi, who punched his powerful effort back into play.

At the restart, McCarthy brought on Ogam for the ineffective Real Sociedad forward Job Ochieng, while Obiero made way for Ouma as Kenya sought to strengthen their attack.

Guinea picked up where they had left off, and just two minutes after the restart, Kibwage was forced to deflect Guirassy’s close-range effort for a corner.

Ogam had Kenya’s best chance in the 55th minute of the match after receiving a long pass from the midfield, but Guinea’s goalkeeper Mohamed Camara made a fine save with his left foot.

Duke Abuya’s free kick was safely collected by Camara in a crowded penalty area. The goalkeeper had been booked in the 64th minute for a foul on Ogam, leading to the free-kick.

In the 69th minute, defender Frank Odhiambo fouled Guirassy on the edge of the box. Second-half substitute Aguibou Camara curled a well-struck free kick towards goal, but Omondi punched it away for a corner, which was eventually gathered by the goalkeeper.

Guinea continued pushing for a second goal but failed to add to their tally, while Harambee Stars created a couple of late chances but could not convert them into goals.

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