BETTING TIPS: Kenya vs Seychelles Match Preview, Analysis, Team News and Betting Guide
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Reading Time: 5min | Tue. 09.09.25. | 09:54
Having scored twelve goals in the group, Kenya will be optimistic in improving these numbers against a Seychelles side that has conceded the most goals in the qualifiers across all groups (34)
Kenya hosts Seychelles at the Kasarani Stadium, in what can be termed as a dead rubber match, as both sides stand no chance of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
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The Ivory Coast, Gabon and Burundi are the only Group F sides who stand a chance of qualifying for the intercontinental showpiece that is set to be hosted in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Kenya, after a promising 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), in which they co-hosted with Uganda and Tanzania, reached the quarter finals.
This was seemingly impressive as they topped the "Group of Death", a pool which had eventual winners Morocco and African Heavyweights Zambia, Angola and DR Congo.
In the World Cup qualifiers, Kenya has not had a pleasing run, winning just one game, drawing three and losing three, a run that has left them with six points and in second last on the standings.
Kenya has not won in the last five matches in these qualifiers. What will be heartening for Kenya is knowing that their last win came against Seychelles.
The Harambee Stars, under head coach Benni McCarthy, will look to right their wrongs, coming off a heavily disappointing loss against The Gambia, a match they were touted to win.
The 3-1 loss saw the coach lament the gap in quality, stating that at the International level, they cannot afford to let their standards slip.
Having scored twelve goals in the group, Kenya will be optimistic in improving these numbers against a Seychelles side that has conceded the most goals in the qualifiers across all groups (34).
Kenya has won their last four consecutive meetings with Seychelles, not conceding and scoring fourteen goals.
Coach McCarthy has built his team's identity on work rate, compactness and resilience. Opting to sit deep in most matches, as was the case in CHAN, and look to get at the opponent with counterattacks.
Opting to start out in a 4-2-3-1 formation with a lone top man and a creative player behind, mixing the wide areas with a speedster on one side and a technical player on the other.
When the game shifts, the major tactical change is usually to go with a front two in a 4-4-2 and have the two forwards playing off each other while the wide players emphasise crosses. This has been the case against Gabon and, more recently, The Gambia.
It will be interesting to see how Kenya adapts against a lower-level opponent where they have to take more control of the game. We saw flashes of this in the second half against The Gambia while chasing the game, and the signs were pleasing.
Flashes of a 3-5-2/ 3-3-4 were seen with width provided and looking to stretch and overload the last line of the opponent.
Key for Kenya today will be three things: the circulation of the ball and how midfield will link with attack, a role Manzur Okwaro and Alpha Onyango did well at CHAN and against The Gambia in the second half.
How Kenya sets up its rest defence will be key as the transition threat cannot be underestimated.
In defence without Aboud Omar (suspension) and Eric Ouma( injured), Kenya will look to either play Manzur Okwaro or Lewis Bandi at left back, an area where both can play well as they have done at club level.
Finally, defending set pieces is proving to be the Achilles heel for the Harambee Stars, an area they will look to sort out.
In attack, with Michael Olunga four goals shy of the Harambee Stars top scorer record, he will look to lead the line, whether he is partnered with in-form Ryan Ogam in a 4-4-2 or a creative midfielder behind him in a 4-2-3- 1.
Olunga thrives on good service, and this is an area coach McCarthy will look to emphasise on.
Having scored twice in the first ten minutes when the teams last met, the Harambee Stars captain will surely fancy his chances.
Kenya's ability to suffocate Seychelles by setting up in a high block and pushing for triggers like a back pass and heavy touch will be a defining factor.
Harambee Stars will also need Alpha alongside others at their best in progressive carrying to drag out the Seychelles backline and create space for attackers running in behind.
Quick restarts on set pieces could also catch the Seychelles out.
Seychelles are the whipping boys of these World Cup qualifiers; the Pirates are without a win in their last 16 games, last winning an international match against Bangladesh in 2023.
The Pirates are without a win in the group, a dismal run. Their last positive away result was a draw against Lesotho in the COSAFA cup.
Coming from a 4-0 drubbing in the previous matchday against Gabon, coach Jean Ralph-Louis stated that his team's focus is to build an understanding for the Indian Ocean Island games.
Kenya will keep a keen eye on Brandon Labrosse, the player who offers the much-needed pace and movement in attack.
Key Pointers
Kenya are unbeaten in their last four meetings against Seychelles
Seychelles are winless in 13 competitive matches
Kenya won the reverse fixture 5-0
Seychelles have conceded the most goals (34) in the African World Cup qualifiers
Our Prediction: Kenya to win the first half, full-time and goals scored in the first half will be over 1.5
Disclaimer: Whilst we do our utmost to offer good advice and information, we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.
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