Harambee Stars striker Michael Olunga has lamented the conditions that Harambee Stars faced in their narrow 1-0 win over Burundi in the 2026 World Cup qualifier clash on Thursday, October 9, 2025.

Reacting to Kenya’s only third win in the campaign afterward, the Qatar-based lethal man decried the conditions of the Intwari pitch that hosted their penultimate clash.

“The pitch condition and the temperatures made it difficult to play. We knew it would be a physical game; that was their plan. They complained to the referee about every challenge, every loose ball they wanted it,” he stated.

Despite Kenya enjoying a man advantage following Caleb Bonfill’s red card inside the opening ten minutes, Harambee Stars remained largely peripheral in the tie that proceeded to be on level terms.

The game’s clincher came with 15 minutes left after substitute Ryan Ogam struck against a stranded goalkeeper.

The Austria-based attacker notched his sixth international goal and his third in four of Kenya’s recentgames

Olunga further decried the opponent’s approach to the game. He bemoaned excessive physicality and the tendency to complain about every single challenge.

“Physicality is allowed, but not aggressive physicality. They were complaining to the referee about every challenge and every loose ball. It was not a game to enjoy for us; we had to contend with the three points,” he stated.

The victory, Stars’ third in the qualifier after nine games, lifted Kenya to third in the group with 12 points.

Kenya is, however, out of contention for a World Cup appearance, having lagged in the group behind Ivory Coast and Gabon, who lead the proceedings.

Kenya will conclude their campaign against the Ivory Coast on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Hussein Mohammed hails team

Celebrations poured in online afterwards, with FKF president Hussein Mohammed commending the team’s effort.

He wrote on X, “Congratulations, Harambee Stars, on your well-deserved victory against Burundi. You delivered a fantastic performance, and your efforts paid off. Let’s wrap up the final round of qualifiers against Ivory Coast on Tuesday with the same enthusiasm.”