Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has said his team is taking the remaining 2026 Fifa World Cup Group 'F' qualifying matches against Burundi and Cote d'Ivoire seriously with an aim to end the failed campaign on a high.
"Football is played on the pitch, not on paper. Cote d'Ivoire should not expect any favours from us. We are going for a win and if Cote d'Ivoire wants to qualify for the World Cup, they must earn it," the 47-year old South African said on Monday at the Police Sacco Stadium during the team's first training session for their final two qualifier matches.
"We have also analysed Burundi and we have noted areas we need to improve on in order to overcome them," said McCarthy.
Stars fly out of the country on Tuesday for Bujumbura where they will play the Swallows on Thursday at Intwari Stadium. Kenya will then head to Abidjan for a date with Cote d'Ivoire's Elephants on Tuesday next week.
The Elephants have to beat Kenya to guarantee themselves automatic qualification to the 2026 Fifa World Cup that will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Harambee Stars are out of the running for a World Cup slot after collecting nine points from eight matches to place them on the lower echelons of the group. Stars have only managed two wins against Seychelles and three draws against Burundi, Cote d'Ivoire, and The Gambia. Losses to Gabon (home and away) and The Gambia (home) have left Kenya languishing fifth and second last on the table.
Cote d'Ivoire and Gabon lead the group with 20 and 19 points respectively as they fight for the one automatic qualifying spot.
McCarthy called 24 players for the two matches. On Monday afternoon the camp was a full house save for defenders Alphonce Omija (Etoile du Sahel, Tunisia), Collins Sichenje (Vojvodina, Serbia) and midfielder Timothy Ouma (Lech Poznan, Poland) who had not reported yet.
Late call-up, winger Adam Wilson, who plays for Welsh club The New Saints, arrived late after his flight from Amsterdam was delayed, McCarthy revealed.
Kenya coach Benni McCarthy juggles the ball as he conducts a training session at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi on October 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Gor Mahia captain Austin Odhiambo returned to the team after McCarthy had dropped him for the qualifiers played in September.
"I know there are people who are happy that a certain player is back in the team. I am pleased for him. He did what was needed to win back his place. He worked hard. He has played in all of his club's matches and he has even been named captain. I hope his qualities continue to shine for his club so that we can keep seeing him in the national team," said McCarthy.
"Captain Michael Olunga has an issue with his hamstring. Alpha Chris Onyango and Ronney Onyango also reported with injury concerns. We are going to monitor them and by the time we play Burundi we will have a clear picture of fitness levels," McCarthy said.
He had a word for young call up Lawrence Okoth who is attached to Finnish club SJK and represented Kenya at the 2025 Afcon Under-20 hosted by Egypt earlier in the year.
Harambee Stars forward William Lenkupae stretches during the national team's training session at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi on October 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Okoth scored two goals and McCarthy hopes he will prove himself against Burundi and Cote d'Ivoire if given a chance.
"Now that we are out of qualifying range, I can give opportunities to young players. I hope Okoth appreciates this chance and will grab it with both hands."
McCarthy added that Okoth would have received a call up much sooner had he not opted for the experience of Jonah Ayunga and Masoud Juma.
Before moving to Finland, Okoth played for Michael Olunga Foundation Academy (MOFA).
"It shows he has been working hard and the coach, who is a fair person, has been watching him."
The match will be Burundi's first competitive match on home soil since drawing 2-2 with the Central African Republic in a Afcon 2021 qualifier played on March 20, 2021.
Olunga said the match will present a "great challenge" to Harambee Stars as it will be played on an artificial pitch.
"We will see how we will handle the challenge," Olunga said.
Olunga also reckoned that Harambee Stars would have still been in contention had they hosted all their home matches at home.
Harambee Stars played home matches against Burundi and Cote d'Ivoire in neutral venues as the country did not have a CAF-approved stadium until the African football body cleared Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium to host international matches in March 2025.
Olunga further described the matches against Burundi and Cote d'Ivoire as "opportunities to rebuild Harambee Stars".
One of the players who will be hoping to play a role in that rebuild is Walsall left back Vincent Harper.
“I am delighted and I hope this time I will get a chance to make my debut," said the 25-year old, who was born in Nairobi before his family emigrated to England early in his childhood.
