Benni McCarthy's Kenya Sends Warning to Ivory Coast
Benni McCarthy's Harambee Stars are determined to spoil Ivory Coast's World Cup party. Kenya aims to end their World Cup qualification campaign on a high note with a win against Ivory Coast.
“It is World Cup qualifiers, it is opportunity for us to try and collect maximum points...”
Kenya's coach, Benni McCarthy, has sent a warning to Ivory Coast ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier on October 14. McCarthy emphasized that his team won't go easy on the African champions, despite being already eliminated from World Cup contention. Ivory Coast, on the other hand, is on the brink of securing a spot in the World Cup, leading Group F with 20 points from six wins and two draws.
Before facing Kenya, Ivory Coast will take on struggling Seychelles on October 10 in Mauritius, while Kenya will play against Burundi on October 9 at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium. McCarthy believes his team has a chance to win and isn't looking to make things easy for Ivory Coast. Kenya's last match against Ivory Coast ended in a 0-1 loss in June 2024.
Upcoming Matches
Kenya vs Burundi: October 9, Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium
Ivory Coast vs Seychelles: October 10, National Sports Complex Pitch 1, Mauritius
Ivory Coast vs Kenya: October 14, Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara
Current Standings
- Ivory Coast: 1st place, 20 points (6 wins, 2 draws)
- Kenya: 5th place, 9 points
Kenya Aims to Cause an Upset
Kenya coach Benni McCarthy has emphasized that his team, Harambee Stars, will not be there to do favors for anyone in their remaining World Cup qualifiers. Instead, their focus is on returning home with maximum points from their upcoming matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast. McCarthy stated that Kenya will not fear anyone in the remaining games, despite being already out of contention for World Cup qualification.
The Kenyan team's determination to perform well is evident, especially with their upcoming match against Burundi on October 9. McCarthy's words suggest that Kenya might cause an upset, particularly against Ivory Coast, who are currently topping Group F. Ivory Coast will face Seychelles on October 10 before their match against Kenya on October 14.
“It is World Cup qualifiers, it is opportunity for us to try and collect maximum points, but we know what is at stake as well, and we know that it’s us going into the lion’s Den because for Ivory Coast a win will definitely secure them automatic qualification for the World Cup,” McCarthy told Flashscore.
“We know we are not there to do favours for anyone, so for us we are going there to play a match against a team that we want to win, we want three points, and that is our task, our objective, and for us to lose, we have to lose to a team that we knew, we had no opportunities, no possibilities of winning the game, that is the only way.”
Ivory Coast Must Fight for World Cup Spot
The first-round meeting between Ivory Coast and Kenya ended in a 0-0 draw. According to Kenya coach Benni McCarthy, who wasn't in charge during that match, Harambee Stars now see an opportunity to beat the African champions, Ivory Coast, in their upcoming encounter. McCarthy's comments set the stage for a potentially intense match between the two teams.
“We can only come out there not victorious because our opponents were much superior than us, but other than that, they gonna really have to earn a place to play in the World Cup qualifiers, we weren’t good enough to go there and beat them the first time, we let them off the hook, so it can’t be a revenge match for me,” explained McCarthy.
“We have to prepare and be best prepared as possible as we can, so that we can go there and make use of the opportunities that will present themselves in the game and try not to repeat the same mistake by letting them off the hook and getting a draw, instead of a game that we should win.”
He added: “We respect any team, doesn’t matter who we play, we respect our opponents because we are human beings, as people you respect your peers, but when you walk over those white lines, and then the respect disappears, and then it is all about us wanting to showcase where we are, and the qualities that we have.
“That is what we are going to do, so just because we are playing Ivory Coast, now we have to lose all our dignity because we are playing the African champions, or they play in one of Africa’s strongest nations out there, it doesn’t work like that, football is not played on paper, it is played on the pitch, and we are going out there to play the best football that we can possibly can, and hopefully to win the game.”
Harambee Stars are determined to end their World Cup qualification campaign on a high note, with coach Benni McCarthy emphasizing the importance of securing maximum points in their remaining matches. Despite being already eliminated from contention, the team will face Ivory Coast on October 14, following their match against Burundi on October 9. Ivory Coast, currently leading Group F with 20 points from six wins and two draws, will also play Seychelles on October 10. A win against Burundi would be a significant morale boost for Harambee Stars ahead of their match against Ivory Coast.
No comments:
Leave comment here