Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, is set to face Seychelles in a World Cup qualifying match at the Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani tomorrow, Tuesday.
This encounter comes on the heels of a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Gambia, which effectively dashed Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the upcoming World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Despite having already bowed out of the qualification race mathematically, the team is determined to end their campaign on a high note. Head Coach Benni McCarthy has indicated that locally based midfielders Alpha Onyango and Manzur Okwaro are likely to start against Seychelles, following their impactful performance as substitutes in the previous match against Gambia.
In the match against Gambia, Kenya displayed resilience, especially in the second half, where the substitutes injected much-needed energy into the squad. McCarthy remarked on their performance, stating they performed well when they were brought in for the second half.
Harambee Stars and Kenya Commercial Bank FC (KCB) Center Back Manzur Okwaro
“As you could see, everyone in the second half was comfortable, and the position play was good. They brought in some good energy when we were fighting to get the goals back, but sadly, we lost, which is part of football and learning.”
Currently, Kenya sits in 5th place in Group E with 6 points, trailing the group leaders, the Ivory Coast, who have amassed a formidable 19 points. Gabon is closely behind in second place with 18 points, while Burundi occupies the third position with 10 points. Gambia, with 7 points, is in fourth place.
A win against Seychelles would not only serve to boost the morale of the Harambee Stars but also increase their points tally to 9, offering a slight consolation in what has been a challenging qualifying campaign. Fans and supporters of the team will be hoping for a spirited performance that can provide a positive end to their journey in the qualifiers.
As kick-off approaches, anticipation builds, and the Harambee Stars look to make a statement on home soil, hoping to secure a crucial victory and display the potential and talent within the squad.
