Kenya seeking to make push for World Cup history

Kenya’s captain Michael Olunga believes the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification for the Harambee Stars remains open, as they charge towards the next two rounds of fixtures this coming week.

Kenya is placed fourth in Group F with five points, five behind leaders Ivory Coast. They play Gambia away in Abidjan this Thursday, before welcoming Gabon at home on Sunday, their first home fixture in four years.

A win in both matches can take them as high up as second if, the other results go their way, and it is with this in mind that Olunga has charged his teammates to give 100 percent to seek for back to back wins.

“We are looking forward to the next two fixtures which will be very tough but I believe the group is still open. We are facing Gambia away which will be a tough match.  Gambia has emerged as one of the strong teams in Africa and we know it is not going to be an easy match,” Olunga said, as the team departed for Abidjan.

He added; “We then have a home game against Gabon which will be equally tough but we are motivated for that because it is our first home game in four years and we would want to give our home fans a good performance.”

Gambia is coached by Irishman Jonathan McKinstry, who spent two years with Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and led them to the FKF Premier League title before he departed.

The Kenyan scene is one he knows too well, and Olunga believes that will be a factor when the two sides clash.

However, the captain, who plays his club football in Qatar with Al Duhail, says the team is psyched up for a positive start under new coach Benni McCarthy who was just recently appointed.

The South African tactician has had less than two weeks to assemble a squad, and has only trained for three days with a group of locally based players.

“Everyone is looking forward to the first assignment of the year with a new coach and we hope we will have a positive start. We have to be patient with the team because the dynamics are now different as we have to adapt to a new style of play but I am really confident of what this young Kenyan team can do,” Olunga added.

McCarthy, in his speech after being appointed coach, also reiterated that Kenya still has a good chance of qualification for the World Cup, and said they will give a good push in the remaining matches.