On-song Ogam strikes again to deliver Harambee Stars' first victory over Burundi in 16 years
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Reading Time: 5min | Thu. 09.10.25. | 18:28
The former Tusker FC striker’s goal not only secured Kenya’s third win of the campaign but also lifted them to third place in the group with 12 points
Ryan Ogam’s purple patch in the national team extended on Thursday after his sixth goal in eight appearances fired Harambee Stars to a 1-0 victory over Burundi in their Group F 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura.
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Ogam, who has been enjoying a rich vein of form since his debut, struck in the 72nd minute to seal the win in what was largely a physical and evenly contested encounter.
Though the match was a dead rubber, with both teams already out of contention for World Cup qualification, there was still pride and a chance to finish higher in the standings at stake.
The former Tusker FC striker’s goal not only secured Kenya’s third win of the campaign but also lifted them to third place in the group with 12 points.
The last time Kenya beat Burundi in 90 minutes was back in 2009 when Osborn Monday's penalty sent Harambee Stars to the semi-finals of the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.
Last month, he netted twice in the 5-0 rout of Seychelles in Nairobi and had earlier found the target in the 3-1 defeat to The Gambia.
He also shone in the African Nations Championship (CHAN), scoring against Zambia and Morocco, performances that earned him a move abroad.
Harambee Stars will now turn their attention to their final group fixture against the Ivory Coast.
Match Report
Harambee Stars endured a bruising and stop-start first half against the Les Hirondelles, a period marked by tempers, tackles, and missed chances.
The match exploded into drama barely a minute after kickoff when Burundi forward Bonfils Caleb Bimenyimana struck goalkeeper Brian Bwire directly in the face during a ground duel.
The former Tusker custodian, making his return to the starting lineup, received lengthy medical attention before being stretchered off.
Bwire’s early exit forced coach Benni McCarthy into an immediate change, with Gor Mahia’s Byrne Omondi coming on to take his place between the posts.
The reckless challenge earned Bimenyimana a straight red card, reducing Les Hirondelles to ten men with virtually the entire game left to play.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Burundi adjusted quickly and even registered the first attempt on goal.
Kanakimana Bienvenue tested Omondi with a powerful drive from distance, which the substitute goalkeeper initially spilt before gathering safely.
By the quarter-hour mark, the hosts had settled into the contest, attacking confidently from the flanks.
One such move led by Mabanza Vancy forced Kenya’s Vincent Harper into a clumsy challenge that earned the Walsall FC defender a yellow card.
Burundi’s intent was clear as they were not there to sit back.
Their pace and aggression kept Stars under pressure, with Kenya struggling to string together meaningful passes in the middle of the park.
In the 26th minute, the game was halted again after a heavy collision between Suleiman Okwaro and Claude Girumugisha.
The Nairobi United midfielder was booked for the tackle, sparking protests from Burundi’s players, who wanted a send off and a brief confrontation that required the referee and captain Michael Olunga to calm proceedings.
After the restart, Kenya nearly found the opener in the 36th minute when Burundi goalkeeper Nahimana Jonathan mishandled a cross from Rooney Onyango.
The loose ball fell kindly to William Lenkupae, but the striker failed to connect cleanly, and the chance went begging.
As the half progressed, Kenya began to show more composure and control, moving the ball with intent and stretching Burundi’s defensive line.
Their best moment came at the stroke of halftime when Olunga led a swift counterattack down the right before setting up Adam Wilson.
The New Saints forward unleashed a curling shot destined for the top corner, only for Nahimana to produce a brilliant save to keep the scores level.
The resulting corner came to nothing, and the referee soon blew for halftime, bringing to a close a fiery and physical first half.
Second half
McCarthy began the second half with an early tactical tweak, introducing former Nairobi City Stars midfielder Timothy Ouma for Harper to add more creativity in midfield.
Burundi started the half with renewed urgency, frequently using the pace of Girumugisha Claude and Bigirimana Gael on the wings to trouble the Kenyan backline.
Despite their efforts, the duo found it difficult to break through a composed Stars defence marshalled by Sylvester Owino and Collins Sichenje.
Kenya, on the other hand, maintained steady possession but struggled to produce meaningful attacking moves.
Burundi’s Patrick Sangwa’s side had a few half-chances, including a dangerous free kick just outside the box, but failed to capitalise.
As the hour mark approached, Stars began to dominate possession, moving the ball with purpose through Lenkupae and Onyango, who stretched Burundi’s compact defence.
In the 58th minute, a slick passing move nearly broke the deadlock.
Olunga initiated the attack down the right flank, releasing Lenkupae, who laid the ball off to Ouma.
The midfielder found Wilson in a tight space, and his return pass set Ouma up for a shot that forced Nahimana into a full-stretch save, conceding a corner.
McCarthy made a double substitution in the 64th minute, introducing Job Ochieng and Ryan Ogam for Austin Odhiambo and Duke Abuya.
The changes injected new energy into the Kenyan attack, and Ogam made an immediate impact.
In the 72nd minute, Ouma won a loose ball in midfield and quickly linked with Olunga, who turned sharply before threading a perfect pass to Ogam.
The Austrian-based forward wasted no time, curling a left-footed strike into the top corner past Nahimana, who could only watch as the ball sailed into the net.
Burundi coach Sangwa responded with changes of his own, but Kenya, now buoyed by confidence, controlled the tempo and closed down spaces effectively.
McCarthy later introduced Marvin Nabwire and Boniface Muchiri for Olunga and Wilson to freshen up his attack in the closing stages.
Despite Burundi’s late attempts to claw back into the game, Stars held firm defensively and looked comfortable in possession until the final whistle.
