Harambee Stars edge 10-man Burundi 1–0 in World Cup qualifier as Ogam’s strike secures vital win
The result marked Kenya’s third win of the qualifiers and lifted them to third place in Group F on 12 points, behind leaders Ivory Coast and Gambia.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars edged Burundi 1–0 in a hard-fought 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the refurbished Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura on Thursday evening, with substitute Ryan Ogam’s second-half strike sealing three crucial points.
The result marked Kenya’s third win of the qualifiers and lifted them to third place in Group F on 12 points, behind leaders Ivory Coast and Gambia. For Burundi, the defeat at their homecoming match after four years away from Intwari Stadium was a bitter blow, especially after playing nearly the entire game with 10 men.
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The match began with high intensity and drama in just the second minute. Harambee Stars’ goalkeeper Brian Bwire went down following a reckless challenge from Burundi’s forward Caleb Bimenyimana, forcing an early substitution that saw Bryne Omondi come on. Referee had no hesitation in showing Bimenyimana a straight red card, leaving the hosts a man down.
Despite the numerical advantage, Kenya struggled to impose themselves early on. Burundi’s short corner in the 12th minute was cleared by Collins Sichenje, while Vincent Harper of Kenya was shown a yellow card in the 16th minute for a dangerous tackle.
Moments later, forward William Lenkupae registered Kenya’s first shot of the game, before Suleiman Manzur Okwaro picked up a yellow card in the 27th minute for a late challenge. Burundi pressed with determination, forcing several stoppages for injuries, but Kenya’s backline, anchored by Sichenje, Sylvester Owino, Rooney Onyango, and Harper, held firm.
The best chance of the first half came in stoppage time when Adam Wilson unleashed a fierce strike from distance, but Burundi goalkeeper Nahimana Jonathan produced a brilliant save to keep the score goalless at the break.
At half-time, coach Benni McCarthy made tactical changes, bringing on Job Ochieng and Ryan Ogam for Duke Abuya and Austin Odhiambo to inject pace and creativity. The decision proved decisive. In the 74th minute, substitute Ogam broke the deadlock with a composed finish after being set up by captain Michael Olunga.
As Burundi pushed for an equaliser, McCarthy introduced fresh legs, Marvin Nabwire and Boniface Muchiri replacing Wilson and Olunga in the 80th minute to secure the midfield and protect the lead. The Stars managed the closing stages with composure, with Omondi making key saves to deny the hosts a late comeback.
At full-time, the Harambee Stars celebrated a gritty 1–0 victory that underscored their renewed confidence following the 5–0 thrashing of Seychelles earlier in the campaign. The win also avenged Kenya’s painful loss at the same venue in 2012 during the CHAN qualifiers.
The result means Kenya now trails group leaders Ivory Coast, by 8 points as they prepare to face the Elephants in Abidjan on Tuesday.
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