With nothing left to play for but pride, Burundi and Kenya will face off at Intwari Stadium, Burundi on Thursday in matchday nine of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Both teams are already out of the running for a place at the finals, with the hosts sitting fourth on 10 points from three wins, a draw and four losses while the visitors, in fifth from two wins, and three draws and losses apiece.
Harambee Stars contingent flied out of the country for Bujumbura on Tuesday to face the Swallows before heading to Abidjan for a date with Cote D’Ivoire’s Elephants on Tuesday next week. The Elephants to Group ‘F’ on 20 points from eight matches and have to beat Stars to automatically qualify for the quadrennial showpiece to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. Gabon follow closely on 19 points.
Stars head coach Benny McCarthy called 24 players for the two matches and this international break offers a rare but crucial opportunity to young footballers to prove themselves. One such who has earned a call-up is Lawrence Okoth who is attached to Finnish side SJK Seinajoki.
Okoth is a product of the Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) and made history earlier this year as the first Kenyan to score at the u-20 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, where he netted a memorable header against Morocco and added a second to his name in the tournament.
McCarthy says he waited for the perfect moment to call him up as the upcoming matches do not have much pressure which allows the young player to be eased into the team: “Now that we are out of qualifying range, I can give opportunities to young players. I hope Okoth appreciates this opportunity and grab it with both hands.”
The South African talisman added that the 19-year-old forward could have earned an early call-up were it no for “the available experienced Jonah Ayunga and Masoud Juma.”
McCarthy is aware injuries are bound to happen and says this provides an opportunity for the rookies to prove themselves.
“I saw him play in the AFCON u-20, and this is an opportunity to rope in young players and give them a taste of international football. “When he gets it in one of the matches, then he must take it with both hands because 2027 is around the corner and we are building for AFCON,” added McCarthy who took over the reigns of Stars in March 2025.
Stars captain Michael Olunga said Okoth’s call-up is a deserved one: “It shows he has been putting in the hardwork and the coach who is a fair person has been watching him.”
Olunga who is on the cusp of becoming Kenya’s all-time top scorer says the top spot is not an immediate priority, but rather a dream he hopes to fulfill in the near future.
The 31-year-old is just two goals away from becoming the men’s national team’s leading scorer. He currently sits in second place, tied with Dennis Oliech on 34 goals, and is just one goal behind the all-time record of 35 goals held by William Ouma. This follows the Al Arabi striker’s brace in the September 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Seychelles, when Kenya secured a commanding 5-0 victory.
As the team heads into their final Group F matches – dead rubbers against Burundi and Ivory Coast, Olunga has a chance to claim the record. If he scores at least two goals this October, he will make history. However, he has stated that this milestone is not his primary focus, emphasizing that his main goal is to lead the team in every way he can.
“Honestly, that is not something I’m thinking about. The most important thing right now is to work hard and try to help the team as much as possible, whether by scoring, defending, or being there to lead the other players,” said the Al-Arabi SC forward.
Although Harambee Stars have already fallen out of contention for next year’s finals, yet McCarthy has made it clear that his players will not be mere participants in the closing rounds issuing a pointed reminder to the Cote d’Ivoire that football, for all its logic and paper predictions, is ultimately decided on grass and grit.
“We know what is at stake,” McCarthy said after a training session in Nairobi.
“We are going into the lion’s den because for Cote d’Ivoire, a win will secure automatic qualification — but we’re not here to do favors for anyone. We’re going there to win and take three points.”
The 47-year-old former Blackburn Rovers striker has brought to the Harambee Stars a mixture of fire and method. Though his tenure has been too brief to yield consistent results, the team’s growing tactical maturity has been noted. He insists that Kenya’s matches against Burundi and Cote d’Ivoire offer a chance to show how far the team has come.
“Football isn’t played on paper; it’s played on the pitch,” he said.
“We’ll play the best football we can, and hopefully, we win. They’ll come with the same mindset, but that’s what competition is about.”
One of the key talking points of McCarthy’s latest squad is the return of Gor Mahia captain Austin Odhiambo, whose absence from the last round of qualifiers had sparked fierce debate among fans and pundits alike. Odhiambo was left out of the squad that faced The Gambia and Seychelles in September — matches that produced a 3-1 loss and a 5-0 win, respectively.
His exclusion was widely questioned, especially after his standout performances at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), where Kenya reached the knockout stages and Odhiambo scored twice.
But McCarthy insists the midfielder’s return is richly earned. “I’m happy for his comeback because he clearly got the message,” he said.
“He’s worked hard, played every match for his club, earned the captaincy, and shown leadership. No player is bigger than the team — if you don’t meet my standards, you’re out, no matter how talented you are.”
Since his omission, Odhiambo has led K’Ogalo to successive league victories, anchoring midfield with composure and authority.
His reinstatement feels not only symbolic but strategic — an acknowledgement that discipline and performance now outweigh reputation. Beyond the qualifiers, McCarthy has also turned his attention to the domestic game.
The South African coach believes the FKF Premier League has grown in quality and competitiveness since his appointment, crediting increased visibility and accountability among players.
“It’s important for players to know the national team coach is watching,” he said. “When I or my staff attend matches, it lifts the standards. Everyone wants to show something special, something that might catch our eye.”
Since taking charge, McCarthy has made regular appearances at FKF Premier League games, often alongside his assistants.
Several locally based players have earned national call-ups as a result, helping bridge the long-standing divide between domestic and foreign-based talent. He believes this engagement has a ripple effect: “When players see that the coach values the local league, the intensity rises,” he said. “It improves the competition, and that benefits everyone.”
