Harambee Stars will be taking on Ivory Coast in Abidjan in their last group game of the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers today.
The Benni McCarthy side have won their last two outings and are confident that they can build on the momentum and deny the host a chance of making it to the 2026 World Cup as they are just a point above Gabon who host Burundi today too.
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The Elephants, led by coach Emerse Fae, are looking to build on the momentum of their Africa Cup of Nations triumph and return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014; and a win today will see them achieve just that.
Both teams have only met twice with Kenya, under Engin Firat, surprisingly holding their West African opponents in the reverse fixture that was staged in Malawi earlier in the group proceedings.
Before the June 2024 scoreless tie, both countries had only met once in a friendly match in 1991 at the Felix Houphouet Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, where the hosts ran 4-0 winners. The game saw Donald Sie, who bagged 49 goals in 88 appearances for the Elephants, grab a brace with other goals scored by Eugene Yago and Abdoulaye Traore with the first three goals scored in the first half.
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Stars at that time were under the late Austrian tactician Gerry Saureer and lined up this way; Mike Okoth, Henry Nyandoro, Tobias Ocholla, Anthony Lwanga, Allan Odhiambo, Peter Mwololo, Alfayo Odongo, Elijah Koranga, Mike Otieno and Charles Omondi.
Kenya’s Starting team the last time we faced Ivory Coast: Patrick Matasi (GK), Daniel ANyembe, Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija. Ronney Onyango, Johnstone Omurwa, Anthony Akumu, Kenneth Muguna, Richard Odada, Timothy Ouma, Michael Olunga (Cpt)
Subs Used: Duke Abuya for Muguna, Chris Erambo for Timothy Ouma, Clyde Senaji for Odada.
Previous H2H Meetings;
• 15/12/1991: Ivory Coast 4-0 Kenya (Friendly)
• 11/6/24: Kenya 0-0 Ivory Coast (WCQ)
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