Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy, has bemoaned the lack of proper preparation and a go-slow in camp that cost Kenya dearly in Group ‘D’ match of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Eritrea.
In the match played on Saturday at a packed Nyayo National Stadium, a lacklustre Harambee Stars side fought from a goal down to draw 1-1 with Eritrea, a team ranked 75 places lower, before home fans.
Afterwards, McCarthy spoke of his displeasure at the off-field distractions.
“We had zero sessions and a performance like that; with two sessions, we will be better and can limit the mistakes we made. I definitely hope that, with the mistakes we made that cost us a goal, our finishing in the final third will be better,” said McCarthy.
Although Kenya dominated the match, finishing proved a major challenge, with Ryan Ogam wasting several opportunities before eventually finding the net in the 87th minute.
Kenyan striker Ryan Ogam (right) gets past Filmon Gebregziabhier of Eritrea during their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers Group ‘D’ match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on September 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“And a team which has been preparing for maybe two sessions a day (Eritrea), we were by far the better team, the stand-out team. I’m not too worried about that because this week, we had some issues (in camp) and I believe two sessions will give us a better chance,” he added.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host the 2027 Afcon showpiece from June 17 to July 17 next year.
Although Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have already qualified for the tournament by virtue of being co-hosts, the three countries are competing in the qualifiers. Kenya particularly faces a tall order to finish ahead of South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea in Group ‘D’ if Saturday’s performance is anything to go by.
In the other Group ‘D’ match, South Africa beat Guinea 2-1 at home. South Africa will face Eritrea on September 30, while Kenya travels to Conakry to play Guinea in the reverse fixture on October 1. Eritrea, a country of about 3.5 million people, are placed 184th in Fifa rankings, 75 places below Kenya, which is ranked 109th.
Despite dominating possession and creating several opportunities, Kenya were made to come from behind after squandering numerous chances before Belgium-based forward Ryan Ogam rescued a point with an 87th-minute equaliser.
The burly forward tapped in a cross from Gor Mahia’s winger Ben Stanley, who had come on in the 64th minute for Real Sociedad forward Job Ochieng. The visitors took the lead after Manzur Okwaro lost possession to Ali Suleiman, who set up Nahom Girmai for Eritrea’s opener.
Off-field issues surrounding the team aside, some of the players who started the match struggled to impose themselves as the home team struggled in attack and failed to make the most of their possession. Ogam, 21, had several chances but struggled to get past a resilient Eritrean defence. Kenya also appeared to miss the services of injured captain Michael Olunga, whose presence could have provided an additional attacking threat.
Kenya's Job Ochieng (left) tussles for the ball with Eritrea Ablelom Teklezghi of Eritrea during their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers Group ‘D’ match at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on September 26, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
In the ninth minute, Ogam found himself one-on-one with Eritrea goalkeeper Yonathan Abiel, but the custodian narrowed the angle and punched Ogam’s effort away for a corner that turned unfruitful.
Ogam also failed to capitalise on several dangerous crosses from winger Ochieng’, allowing Eritrea’s defenders to deal comfortably with the threat. In the 43rd minute, captain Abud Omar delivered a sizzling cross into the box which Ogam headed down, only for Duke Abuya to blast the ball over the bar.
Three minutes before the equaliser, Abuya missed another clear opportunity when he was well placed to score.
Former Simba SC winger Mohamed Bajaber, despite being unattached, proved influential after coming on in the 71st minute, repeatedly troubling the Eritrean defence on the left flank. The draw left Kenya third in Group D on one point, level with Eritrea. South Africa lead the group with three points, while Guinea have none.
