What went wrong for Harambee Stars’ failed attempt to qualify for World Cup finals?
By Luke Oluoch, October 15, 2025Harambee Stars’ quest for the 2026 World Cup culminated disappointingly following a 3-0 defeat to the Ivory Coast on Tuesday, October 15, 2025, at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium.
The Ivorians, who entered the tie on an unbeaten streak, proved too much for the Kenyans, with Franck Kessie storming the host to an early lead after seven minutes after being teed up by Manchester United winger Amad Diallo.
Ivorians might
Yves Diomande made it 2-0 moments after resumption, just as the Elephants had been contained from extending their lead in the final moments of the first half.
The tie was ended as a contest with ten minutes to go after Diallo popped up with a goal of his own from a direct free kick.
The victory saw Ivory Coast end their long wait for an appearance at the WC, finishing unbeaten in the group with 26 points.
Kenya at fourth
Gabon, who beat Burundi 2-0 in the other qualifier clash of the group, finished as runners-up, a point behind the leaders. Kenya finished fourth in the group with 12 points, a point behind The Gambia, who leapfrogged Harambee Stars after whitewashing Seychelles 7-0 in their final group clash staged in Mauritius.
Burundi came in at fifth place, with two points behind Kenya. In the ten qualifier ties, Kenya claimed three victories and as many draws. The team tasted defeat four times against Gabon (in both ties), the Gambia and away to the Ivory Coast.
During the campaign, Stars were pooled in Group F for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers alongside strong opponents, including the Ivory Coast, Seychelles, Gabon, Gambia, and Burundi.
Kenya’s inability to see out games, especially late on, proved to be its Achilles heel.
In more than one game, Harambee Stars failed to capitalise on crucial leads, ending up contending with a point or even allowing their opponents to pick wins from a losing position.
A 2-1 defeat against Gabon at Stade de Franceville on November 16, 2023, Kenya’s first clash in the qualifiers, is a case in point.
Masud Juma’s five minutes for the breather put Kenya on a solid footing on enemy territory. And the side looked to wear the pressure from the host well until the hour mark, when Denis Bouanga levelled matters.
Stars later conceded a heartbreaking goal from Guelor Kanga with just a couple of minutes left in the match.
A similar scenario came back to haunt Kenya’s chances on the road against Burundi in a 1-1 draw. Once more, Kenya was unable to finish off a game after taking a crucial lead in the 72nd minute through Duke Abuya.
The team, then under Engin Firat, allowed Burundi to snatch a point with an 85th-minute equaliser.
The two decisive matches hugely shaped Kenya’s chances and subsequent failed bid.
Despite promising signs at the turn of 2025, following Benni McCarthy’s arrival, the damage had seemingly been done, even as the SA coach opened his campaign with a last-gasp 3-3 draw against the Scorpions of The Gambia.
Harambee Stars and Benni McCarthy now shift focus to the AFCON 2027 games, where Kenya is set to host the games for the first time in the competition’s history.
McCarthy has set competitive targets for the ties, and it remains to be seen how Kenya progresses towards its preparations as the host of the continental showpiece.