Coach McCarthy eyeing strong World Cup qualifiers finish

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy says his team is targeting all six points in their final two matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Group F qualifiers.

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Kenya faces Burundi on Thursday, 9 October at the Intwari Stadium before wrapping up their campaign against defending Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast, on Tuesday, 14 October.

Although Stars are already out of contention for a World Cup ticket, sitting fifth with nine points after eight matches, they can still finish third if they collect maximum points.

“We have two World Cup qualifiers and six points on offer. We don’t come here just to honour the matches; we are here because we want to win,” McCarthy said in an interview from Burundi.

“Winning is a big thing, and the squad is aware that a victory could take us to third in the group, which was a very tough group.”

The former UEFA Champions League winner with FC Porto stressed that finishing strongly is vital to change Kenya’s narrative in the global qualifiers.

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If Kenya wins both matches, they will finish the group with 15 points their best-ever tally in World Cup qualifying.

Kenya’s previous World Cup qualifying records include three points in 2010, finishing last in a group won by Nigeria on 12 points, and just six points in both the 2014 and 2022 campaigns.

“It is important for the players to know that we can finish high in this tough group. Knowing how difficult the pool was is important and a step in the right direction,” McCarthy noted.

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Reflecting on the clash with Burundi, McCarthy predicted a tight contest and said taking chances will be decisive.

“We know it is going to be a very difficult match and a different experience for most of us because I think it is the first time we play on a surface like this.

For the players it will be different from what we are used to, but we will play the best football we can and work hard.

They have done remarkably well to be in their position, and I think the team that plays better football and creates more chances will win, and obviously we believe that will be us.”

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Kenya was drawn into a challenging group alongside Ivory Coast, Gabon, Gambia, Seychelles, and Burundi.

The qualifiers began under coach Engin Firat before McCarthy took charge midway.

After eight rounds, Ivory Coast lead the group with 20 points, followed by Gabon (19), Gambia and Burundi (10 each), Kenya (9), while Seychelles remain winless at the bottom.

WC QUALIFICATION AFRICA - MATCHDAY 9

Wednesday

Eswatini - Angola 2-2 (0-0)

/Figuareido 48,54 - Buatu 69, Papel 80/

Ethiopia - Guinea B. 1-0 (1-0)

/James 27/

Libya - Cape Verde 3-3 (2-1)

/Lopes 1 og, Al Mariami 42, Al Shalui 58 - Arcanjo 29, Cabral 76, Semedo 82/

Mauritius - Cameroon 0-2 (0-0)

/Ngameleu 57, Mbeumo 90+2/

Central African Republic - Ghana 0-5 (0-1)

/Salisu 20, Partey 52, Djiku 69, Ayew 71, Sulemana 87/

Chad - Mali 0-2 (0-0)

/Doumbia 19, 74/

Comores - Madagascar 1-2 (0-1)

/Said 81 - Couturier 11, Raheriniaina 73/

Djibouti - Egypt 0-3 (0-2)

/Adel 8, Salah 14, 84/

Sierra Leone - Burkina Faso 0-1 (0-1)

/Zougrana 42/

Niger - Congo 3-1 (1-0)

/Sosah 45+3, Oumarou 49, Adebayor 67 - Bassinga 90+4/

Tanzania - Zambia 0-1 (0-0)

/Sakala 75/

Thursday

16.00: (2.65) Burundi (3.05) Kenya (2.90)

19.00: (3.30) Botswana (3.10) Uganda (2.35)

19.00: (2.70) Liberia (3.05) Namibia (2.80)

19.00: (2.65) Malawi (3.05) Equatorial Guinea (2.90)

19.00: (2.60) Mozambique (3.05) Guinea (2.95)

19.00: (50.0) Somalia (16.0) Algeria (1.02)

Friday

15.00: (16.0) South Sudan (10.0) Senegal (1.12)

16.00: (3.70) Gambia (3.20) Gabon (2.15)

16.00: (40.0) Seychelles (18.0) Ivory Coast (1.01)

16.00: (2.05) Sudan (3.20) Mauritania (4.00)

16.00: (3.15) Togo (3.25) Dr Congo (2.35)

19.00: (16.0) Lesotho (7.50) Nigeria (1.17)

19.00: (2.90) Rwanda (3.00) Benin (2.70)

19.00: (35.0) Sao Tome (14.0) Tunisia (1.02)

19.00: (17.0) Zimbabwe (5.20) S.Africa (1.25)

***odds are subject to change***