Kenyans react to Harambee Stars slim win over Burundi
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Reading Time: 4min | Fri. 10.10.25. | 20:05
Stars turn focus to Tuesday's clash against Ivory Coast in Abidjan
Once again, Kenyans were left impressed with the growing chemistry between Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga and ,red-hot youngster, Ryan Ogam as the duo effortlessly combined their goal-scoring instincts to earn the team a 1-0 win over Burundi on Thursday, at Intwari Stadium.
Playing their third-ever competitive match together for the national team, the two forwards linked up to deliver the match- winner in the 72nd minute.
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A neat exchange of passes inside Burundi's final third saw Olunga lay the ball on the path of Ogam, who turned it on his favourite left foot before curling it to the top right of Jonathan Nahimana.
The two forwards also enjoyed a solid connection in last month's 5-0 demolition of Seychelles and in the 3-1 defeat to The Gambia. Both the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches were played at Kasarani Stadium.
The excellent combination between them, especially against Seychelles, compelled stakeholders to urge coach Benni McCarthy to unleash them together, in the subsequent assignments, in a 4-4-2 formation.
Their partnership have had in the past two matches, have not slipped through the eyes of Kenyans who believe the duo will deliver goals in plenty in the next matches.
After Zambian referee Hillary Hambaba blasted the final whistle, Kenyans took to their social media platforms to hail the partnership.
“In Ogam (Ryan), we found a proper striker. He is so clinical in front of goal and with good movements off the ball to lose his marker. He also thrives when playing with Olunga who takes the pressure off him.
I believe we should henceforth be fielding them as twin strikers as we did against Seychelles. With that, few defenses can contain them,” said Willis Opiyo on Mozzart Sport Senior Writer Kevin Teya,’s Facebook page.
Besides this widely shared observation, Kenyans were quick to spot other positives and negatives from the encounter against Burundi.
On The Harambee Stars Facebook page, Hussein Salim appreciated the performance and spirited fight from the boys.
“A good improvement in the second half. The substitutions had an impact on the game. Good to see Ryan Ogam score another goal. We go up the table (3rd position) for at least Good luck to the Harambee Stars in Abidjan. Let's come back with a hard fought 1-1 draw.”
On the same platform, Chrispus Kyalo was impressed with the improved performance of Poland-based Timothy Ouma, who replaced Austin Odhiambo in the second half.
“Ogam scored a beautiful goal but Timothy Babu delivered a performance we expect from an international player.
With that second half performance I think he is good to go, after a shocking first half against Gambia last month. He played the forward passes not backward and sideways,” said Kyalo.
On his part, Fred Nyamunga was happy with the win. He was, however, quick to note the unsportsmanlike conduct of the Burundi team.
“It is always exciting to watch the Harambee Stars win a match. That was a hard fought one. I was pretty much impressed with all the lads as everyone gave their all.
For his debut and someone who plays in England Harper (Vincent) should have done better. Let us hope he gets minutes against Ivory Coast so that we can give a proper judgement.
Burundi played a rough game which I did not like but we must admit that we also had our share of the same and should have also seen a red card,” Nyamunga told Mozzart Sport.
AFC Leopards fan Gerald Amimocould could not help but imagine Kenya’s chances had McCarthy's appointment come early in the qualifiers.
“Just imagine if we would have had coach Benni McCarthy at the start of the qualifiers. We bottled out our chances at the start of the qualifiers with Firat (Engin) when we dropped points in matches we ought to have won.
With these kinds of performances that we have registered since McCarthy took over, I believe we could be either leading the group or second but with a chance of qualifying,” he said.
Despite the win, David Were on X (formerly Twitter), was not impressed with McCarthy’s fielding.
“Unless the opponent has kept a low block, a midfield that has both Austin (Odhiambo) and Duke (Abuya) will always struggle as it is imbalanced.
The two can also not thrive together as they play more or less the same style. McCarthy must make a choice on starting either of them with the other one coming on as a substitute," observed Were.
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