Benni McCarthy explains Kenya's World Cup qualifier loss to Ivory Coast
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy acknowledged that his team was outclassed by Ivory Coast, citing the opponent's exceptional individual quality and experience as the decisive factor in their 3-0 defeat.
“They just have too many individual quality players that can change a match...”
Kenya's national football team, the Harambee Stars, suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in their final 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy attributed the loss to the superior quality of the Ivory Coast players.
Benni McCarthy praised the Ivory Coast team, highlighting the exceptional skills of players like Amad Diallo and Nicolas Pepe. He noted that his young team struggled to cope with the tempo and technical ability of the Ivorians.
The defeat marked the end of Kenya's World Cup qualifying campaign, with Ivory Coast finishing top of Group F. Despite the loss, McCarthy expressed optimism about the future, stating that his team can learn from the experience and become a more competitive side in the future.
McCarthy believes his team will be ready to compete with teams like Ivory Coast in two years' time. He emphasized the need for his young team to continue learning and growing, with a focus on improving defensive organization and ball retention.
Harambee Stars were riding high on the back of consecutive wins, having bounced back from a setback in their qualification campaign. The team had suffered a 3-1 defeat to Gambia on matchday seven but rebounded with a 5-0 thrashing of Seychelles in Nairobi and a narrow 1-0 win over Burundi away.
Coach Benni McCarthy had put Ivory Coast on notice, warning them to expect a tough match. McCarthy's men were determined to make a statement, despite being eliminated from World Cup contention. The Harambee Stars' 1-0 win over Burundi was a testament to their resilience and determination.
The stakes were high for Ivory Coast, who needed a win to secure automatic qualification for the World Cup. Meanwhile, Harambee Stars were playing for pride, seeking to end their campaign on a high note. The match promised to be an exciting encounter, with both teams looking to make an impact.
Ivory Coast's Dominant Performance Earns World Cup Spot
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy conceded defeat to Ivory Coast, acknowledging that his side was overpowered by a team with exceptional quality across all positions. “First, I would like to congratulate Emerson (Fae), for qualifying Ivory Coast to the World Cup,” McCarthy said. “Our objective in this game was to go out there and complicate, pose difficulties for Ivory Coast because we are professionals. We didn’t want to come here to lose the match.”
McCarthy praised Ivory Coast's quality, highlighting the exceptional skills of players like Amad Diallo and Nicolas Pepe. “They just have too many individual quality players that can change a match. Amad Diallo is one of those players, Nicolas Pepe too. So, it was always going to be almost impossible for us to stop a very good Ivory Coast team, but it was a fantastic learning experience for us,” he added. Despite the 3-0 defeat, McCarthy expressed optimism about Kenya's future prospects, stating that his team will be ready to compete with top teams in two years.
“We have to give credit which is due. You look at the quality, the players that Ivory Coast had, all internationals from European top clubs, and for Kenya, we are building, we have a young team.”
McCarthy continued: “We are learning, so it was to give everything we can, and play with pride, but unfortunately, when you play such a strong and experienced team like Ivory Coast, it was always going to be difficult, no matter how tactically you try to set out the game.
“They (Ivory Coast) just have too many individual quality players who can change a match. Amad (Diallo) is one of those players, Nicolas (Pepe), so it was always going to be almost impossible to stop a very good Ivory Coast side.
He concluded: “It was a fantastic learning experience for us, and I think in two years’ time, we will be ready, and we will be at a better level to be able to compete with teams like Ivory Coast.”
Final Group F Standings
Ivory Coast topped Group F with 26 points, courtesy of eight wins and two draws, remaining undefeated in the process. Gabon secured second place with 25 points, earning a spot in the playoff slot. Kenya finished fourth in the group with 12 points.
The Harambee Stars had a mixed campaign, managing three wins and three draws while suffering four defeats. Their journey began with a 2-1 away loss to Gabon, but they bounced back to thrash Seychelles 5-0 in matchday two.
Kenya then traveled to face Burundi, earning a 1-1 draw, before holding African champions Ivory Coast to a 0-0 stalemate. In matchday five, the Harambee Stars secured a thrilling 3-3 comeback draw against Gambia. However, their World Cup hopes were dealt a significant blow when they lost 2-1 to Gabon at home.
Despite a slim chance remaining, Kenya failed to capitalize on the opportunity in their matchday seven fixture against Gambia, suffering a 3-1 defeat. This loss significantly diminished their prospects of securing a World Cup spot.
The Harambee Stars were defeated 3-1 by Gambia in a World Cup qualifier at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, dashing their World Cup dreams. Yankuba Minteh scored a brace, while Musa Barrow sealed the win with a third goal, exposing Kenya's defensive vulnerabilities.
Despite a strong start, Kenya conceded early when Sheriff Sinyan headed in Minteh's corner. Minteh doubled the lead with a clinical finish, and Barrow made it 3-0 with a powerful shot. Kenya's lone goal came in the 81st minute, courtesy of substitute Ryan Ogam.
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— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) October 14, 2025
Ivory Coast 3-0 Kenya#HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/apTj9Xi3Xf
The loss, coupled with Gabon's 4-0 win over Seychelles, ended Kenya's automatic qualification hopes. Kenya now sits on six points, with Gabon leading the group with 18 points and a superior head-to-head record. The Harambee Stars will focus on ending their campaign on a high note in their remaining matches.
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