Why former Gor Mahia coach expects hostile atmosphere in Harambee Stars vs Gambia World Cup qualifier

The Gambia head coach, Jonathan McKinstry, has braced himself and his charges for what he terms as a “hostile atmosphere” when they lock horns with Kenya in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday, 5 September, at Kasarani Stadium.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news

Kenya will host the return leg fixture after staging a remarkable 3-3 comeback in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, against The Gambia in their previous encounter in March.

Brighton winger Minteh shares English Premier League advice with Kenyan players

The Northern Irishman, who once stood at the touchline of the very same stadium as head coach of Gor Mahia, returns to familiar territory with a different mission, this time leading the Scorpions to a vital encounter against Harambee Stars.

But as much as he acknowledges Kasarani holds fond memories of silverware and success, McKinstry knows he is now stepping into a cauldron of charged Kenyan support.

His caution stems from Kenya’s recent displays during the recently concluded 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where Harambee Stars matches drew huge crowds.

The stadium, which was reduced to a 48,000-seater capacity to comply with CAF and FIFA standards for safety, was filled to near capacity in every outing.

Even in the Zambia clash, where CAF sanctions capped attendance at 60%, a staggering 26,986 fans still turned up.

EXCLUSIVE: Gor Mahia sign forward Mohamed Shaban from Libyan side

Kenya rode that wave of support impressively, registering three wins and a draw to reach the knockout stages before bowing out to Madagascar in a tense penalty shootout.

That spectacle left an indelible impression on McKinstry, who spoke to the press ahead of the qualifier:

"We are here for business; the aim is to collect maximum points. But again, we will face a very hostile environment because Kenya fans will come in their numbers, going by the CHAN tournament outcome, which will make it even tougher for us."

The 39-year-old, however, is no stranger to tough Kenyan crowds. During his tenure at Gor Mahia, McKinstry guided the club to both the FKF Premier League title and the FKF Charity Shield Cup in his final year.

The millions English club has been fined for handing Kenyan midfielder debut against Manchester United

He believes those experiences may serve as a psychological edge for him as he plots against the vociferous Kenyan fans.

"Kasarani holds good memories for me, for my last games here were trophy-laden, winning the league and community shield titles, which hopefully can work to my favour on Friday. But again, we have to go all out and win the game," he added.

The stakes could not be higher for each side. For The Gambia, victory would see them rise to seven points, leapfrogging Kenya in the group standings, while for Harambee Stars, three points would push them to nine, rekindling their dream of making it to the global stage.

Kenya’s path, however, remains narrow with only group winners earning automatic qualification. Harambee Stars will likely have to finish among the four best runners-up across the nine groups to book a place in the CAF playoffs.