WCQ: Gambia and Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh wary of Harambee Stars’ threat
By Joel Masibo, September 3, 2025Brighton star Yankuba Minteh has warned his Gambian teammates ahead of their Group F encounter in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Kenya’s Harambee Stars on Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Kenya rallied from behind to hold the Gambia to a 3-3 stalemate at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on March 20, 2025, in the first-leg encounter.
Following the spirited fight displayed by the Benni McCarthy men, Minteh, who plays in the English Premier League, has warned that it will not be a walk in the park playing against Harambee Stars at home.
”It is my first time in Kenya, and I like the environment. We are here to win the game, even though it will be difficult due to the home advantage.”
“Kenya is a difficult team; we already played against them, and I know how it feels to play against them. Yeah, we will see what will happen,” Minteh said on Tuesday at Gambia’s training at Kasarani.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification group contains Ivory Coast, Gabon, Kenya, Gambia, Burundi and Seychelles.
The group winner will directly qualify for the World Cup, and the runner-up could potentially compete in the second round to advance to the inter-confederation play-offs.
Group F standings
Ivory Coast leads the group with 16 points, followed by Gabon with 15 points. Burundi has 10 points, while Kenya and Gambia are placed fourth and fifth, respectively, with six points after playing six rounds.
The Football Kenya Federation has shared ticketing details ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier pitting Kenya’s Harambe Stars and Gambia, scheduled for Friday, September 5, 2025, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Immediately after making their memorable debut at the 2024 African Nations Championship in Nairobi, Harambee Stars are scheduled to face the Gambian side on Friday, starting at 4:00 pm.
As the match is expected to draw thousands of passionate Kenyan fans, the national team is aiming to strengthen its presence in both continental and global elite football tournaments.
VVIP Ticket – Ksh5,000
VIP Ticket – Ksh2,000
Silver Ticket – Ksh500
Ordinary Ticket – Ksh300
Supporters have been urged to purchase their tickets in advance since no tickets will be sold at the venue on match day, in compliance with CAF and FIFA regulations.