How Gabon, Burundi ties derailed Harambee Stars quest for 2026 World Cup
By Luke Oluoch, October 8, 2025Harambee Stars head into their second-to-last match of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers in Group F against Burundi on Thursday, October 9, 2025.
Benni McCarthy’s team will then conclude their fixtures against the Ivory Coast days later.
Both ties, however, come as dead rubbers, as Kenya is already out of contention for a spot in the global football bonanza to be held in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Stars were pooled in Group F for the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers alongside strong opponents, including the Ivory Coast, Seychelles, Gabon, Gambia, and Burundi.
As part of its quest for a maiden World Cup qualification, Kenya’s journey in the qualifying campaign started with a 2-1 defeat against Gabon at Stade de Franceville on November 16, 2023.
The team, then under Engin Firat, regrouped to hammer Seychelles 5-0 in its second test match.
Burundi draw
Kenya came up against Burundi on matchday three and secured a 1-1 draw, before they forced African champions Ivory Coast to a 0-0 draw.
Among the decisive matches that shaped Kenya’s chances were the campaign opener against Gabon and the clash against Burundi in Lilongwe.
In those games, where Kenya claimed just one point from a possible six, late goals proved the Achilles’ heel of their 2026 World Cup quest.
Defeat to Gabon
Kenya lost to Gabon 2-1 in the first leg of their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match in Group F, which took place on November 16, 2023, at Stade de Franceville in Gabon.Masoud Juma’s goal five minutes before halftime put Kenya on solid footing on enemy territory.
The side looked set to withstand the pressure from the hosts well until the hour mark, when Denis Bouanga restored parity.
Despite taking the lead, Kenya rued a nervy finish, conceding a heartbreaking clincher from Guelor Kanga.
De javu
The ghost of late goals came back to haunt Kenya’s chances in the 1-1 draw against Burundi—a clash that proved to be Kenya’s for the taking. Duke Abuya’s 72nd-minute strike sent the dominant team into a crucial lead.
Stars dominated possession and held the advantage as the game wore on until the 85th minute, when the resistance was curtailed.
The draw kept both teams level on 4 points in Group F, behind leaders Côte d’Ivoire (9 points) and Gabon (6 points). Burundi, under coach Olivier Niyungeko, showed grit in defense, building on their earlier 1-0 win over Gambia.