PREVIEW: Burundi, Harambee Stars clash in dead rubber World Cup qualifier in Bujumbura
Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 09.10.25. | 08:20
Burundi will be playing their first home qualifier after hosting previous matches abroad, which gives them added motivation to end on a high.
Harambee Stars will this afternoon take to the field at Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura for their penultimate 2026 World Cup qualifier against hosts Burundi.
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Both teams are already out of contention for a place at next year’s World Cup. Burundi sit third in Group F with 10 points, while Kenya trail by a point in fifth. Ivory Coast lead the group with 20 points, followed closely by Gabon on 19.
Kenya’s qualification journey has been inconsistent, recording two wins, three draws, and three losses. Their campaign began with a 2-1 defeat to Gabon, followed by a 5-0 win over Seychelles, draws with Burundi (1-1), Ivory Coast (0-0), and Gambia (3-3), then losses to Gabon (2-1) and Gambia (3-1), before ending with another 5-0 win over Seychelles.
Burundi’s run has been similarly mixed. They opened with a 3-2 win over Gambia, lost 2-1 in the return fixture, drew 1-1 with Kenya, and beat Seychelles 3-1. However, consecutive defeats to Ivory Coast (1-0, twice) and Gambia (2-0) ended their qualification hopes. Despite that, the Swallows have been solid at home, winning two of their four matches in Bujumbura.
Burundi’s dream of reaching the 2026 World Cup has faded, but their 13 goals in eight matches and strong home form make them a formidable opponent.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy faces a few injury concerns ahead of the clash. Captain Michael Olunga (hamstring), Alpha Onyango, and Ronney Onyango are all nursing injuries and will undergo late fitness tests.
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“Captain Michael Olunga has an issue with his hamstring. Alpha Chris Onyango and Ronney Onyango also reported injury concerns. We will monitor them closely and by the time we face Burundi, we will have a clearer picture of their fitness levels,” McCarthy said earlier in the week.
McCarthy has emphasized the team’s determination to finish their campaign strongly.
“It’s an opportunity for us to collect maximum points; we know what’s at stake as we go into the lion’s den,” he said. “We respect our opponents, but that doesn’t mean we’ll hold back.”
Burundi will be playing their first home qualifier after hosting previous matches abroad, which gives them added motivation to end on a high. The reverse fixture in Malawi ended 1-1 after Duke Abuya’s opener was cancelled out late in the game.
Harambee Stars squad in Burundi
Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Brian Bwire
Defenders: Manzur Suleiman, Vincent Harper, Sylvester Owino, Alphonce Omija, Collins Sichenje, Michael Kibwage, Ronney Onyango, Abud Omar, Daniel Sakari
Midfielders: Alpha Onyango, Duke Abuya, Timothy Ouma, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire, Austine Odhiambo
Wingers: William Lenkupae, Job Ochieng, Boniface Muchiri
Strikers: Michael Olunga, Ryan Ogam, Lawrence Okoth
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WC QUALIFICATION AFRICA - MATCHDAY 9
Wednesday
Eswatini - Angola 2-2 (0-0)
/Figuareido 48,54 - Buatu 69, Papel 80/
Ethiopia - Guinea B. 1-0 (1-0)
/James 27/
Libya - Cape Verde 3-3 (2-1)
/Lopes 1 og, Al Mariami 42, Al Shalui 58 - Arcanjo 29, Cabral 76, Semedo 82/
Mauritius - Cameroon 0-2 (0-0)
/Ngameleu 57, Mbeumo 90+2/
Central African Republic - Ghana 0-5 (0-1)
/Salisu 20, Partey 52, Djiku 69, Ayew 71, Sulemana 87/
Chad - Mali 0-2 (0-0)
/Doumbia 19, 74/
Comores - Madagascar 1-2 (0-1)
/Said 81 - Couturier 11, Raheriniaina 73/
Djibouti - Egypt 0-3 (0-2)
/Adel 8, Salah 14, 84/
Sierra Leone - Burkina Faso 0-1 (0-1)
/Zougrana 42/
Niger - Congo 3-1 (1-0)
/Sosah 45+3, Oumarou 49, Adebayor 67 - Bassinga 90+4/
Tanzania - Zambia 0-1 (0-0)
/Sakala 75/
Thursday
16.00: (2.65) Burundi (3.05) Kenya (2.90)
19.00: (3.30) Botswana (3.10) Uganda (2.35)
19.00: (2.70) Liberia (3.05) Namibia (2.80)
19.00: (2.65) Malawi (3.05) Equatorial Guinea (2.90)
19.00: (2.60) Mozambique (3.05) Guinea (2.95)
19.00: (50.0) Somalia (16.0) Algeria (1.02)
Friday
15.00: (16.0) South Sudan (10.0) Senegal (1.12)
16.00: (3.70) Gambia (3.20) Gabon (2.15)
16.00: (40.0) Seychelles (18.0) Ivory Coast (1.01)
16.00: (2.05) Sudan (3.20) Mauritania (4.00)
16.00: (3.15) Togo (3.25) Dr Congo (2.35)
19.00: (16.0) Lesotho (7.50) Nigeria (1.17)
19.00: (2.90) Rwanda (3.00) Benin (2.70)
19.00: (35.0) Sao Tome (14.0) Tunisia (1.02)
19.00: (17.0) Zimbabwe (5.20) S.Africa (1.25)
***odds are subject to change***
