Benni McCarthy eyes fresh start as Harambee Stars face Gambia in World Cup qualifier

Harambee Stars line up before a previous game against Namibia at the Orlando Stadium in South Africa.(Photo.COSAFA Media)

By Michael Kirwa
Thursday, March 20, 2025

Harambee Stars return to action on Thursday night under new head coach Benni McCarthy, who is set to take charge of his first match at the helm. With limited preparation time, Kenya faces Gambia at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, aiming to reignite their World Cup qualifying hopes.

A new chapter begins for Harambee Stars as Benni McCarthy leads Kenya into a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Gambia on Thursday night. The match will be played at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, as Gambia lacks a CAF-approved stadium.

Despite limited preparation time, McCarthy remains confident. The South African tactician, who took charge of the team recently, has had just one full training session with the squad since arriving in Ivory Coast on Tuesday. However, he believes his team is ready to fight.

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"The journey has not been easy. Most of our players joined us on Monday after club commitments, and we only arrived in Ivory Coast on Tuesday after a long flight. That meant just one full training session as a group,"McCarthy said after Kenya’s final training on Wednesday night.

McCarthy is keen to make an instant impact and has emphasised the importance of tactical discipline against a Gambia side ranked 125th in the latest FIFA rankings—17 places below Kenya.

"No match is easy, and Gambia will test us. But I believe in the quality of our squad. We have worked on tactical organisation, and we will play to win. The aim is three points," he added.

Harambee Stars have had to deal with late squad withdrawals. Collins Sichenje was ruled out due to injury, while Reims defender Joseph Okumu did not join the squad due to what McCarthy described as "a misunderstanding between FKF and his club."

Still, McCarthy insists the setbacks won’t derail his plans. "The atmosphere in camp is great. I want to create a culture where players are excited to play for the national team. That way, those who miss out will be even more determined to return," he said.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Kenya and Gambia, making the West Africans the 55th nation Harambee Stars have faced in official matches. However, there will be a familiar face in the opposing dugout—Johnathan McKinstry, Gambia’s head coach, previously led Kenya and understands the squad.

"McKinstry has built a strong team and has been unlucky not to win some matches. His knowledge of Kenyan football is an advantage for them, but we will approach the game with hunger and desire to neutralise that,"McCarthy stated.

Kenyan defender Erick Ouma, who plays for Poland’s Raków Częstochowa, echoed his coach’s confidence. "The mood in camp is good. Every game is like a final for us, and we cannot underestimate Gambia," he said. Midfielder Mohamed Bajaber, making his second national team appearance, added: "It’s an honour to represent my country again. My focus is on working hard and staying humble."

A win against Gambia - and another against Gabon on Sunday - would significantly boost Kenya’s World Cup qualifying hopes. After missing out on AFCON 2025, McCarthy sees this campaign as a chance to dream big.

"Our focus is the bigger picture - qualifying for the World Cup," he declared.

Kenya currently sits fourth in Group F with five points from four matches - one win (Seychelles), two draws (Burundi, Ivory Coast), and a loss (Gabon). Group leaders Ivory Coast have 10 points, followed by Gabon (nine), and Burundi (seven). Gambia and Seychelles sit fifth and sixth with three and zero points, respectively.

Thursday’s match is more than just a qualifier; it’s the start of a new era under McCarthy. A strong performance could set the tone for Harambee Stars’ future under their new coach.

Probable Starting XI: Ian Otieno (GK), Erick Ouma, Johnstone Omurwa, Brian Mandela, Ronney Onyango, Eric Johana, Richard Odada, Anthony Akumu, Timothy Ouma, Elvis Rupia, Michael Olunga (CPT)