Kenya Dominates Grenada 3-0 in FIFA Series

Harambee Stars secure comfortable win over Grenada

Kenya beats Grenada 3-0 in FIFA Series third-place playoff, goals from Austin Odhiambo, Ryan Ogam, and Zech Obiero. Harambee Stars conclude FIFA Series with dominant win, preparing for 2027 AFCON qualifiers.

Kenya's strong showing in Rwanda, defeating Grenada with goals from Odhiambo, Ogam, and Obiero...

Kenya wrapped up their FIFA Series campaign with a bang, beating Grenada 3-0 in the third-place playoff in Rwanda. Goals from Austin Odhiambo and Ryan Ogam in the first half, followed by a Zech Obiero strike, sealed the win.

The victory gives Kenya a morale boost ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The team used the FIFA Series as a crucial preparation phase, and they'll look to build on this momentum. 

Benni McCarthy made some changes to the Harambee Stars starting lineup after their penalty shootout loss to Estonia. Goalkeeper Ian Otieno was dropped for Farouk Shikhalo, while Clarke Oduor came in for Aboud Omar, who captained the team against Estonia.

Oduor, who's on loan at Grimsby Town from Bradford City, made his debut, joining Rooney Onyango, Alphonse Omija, and Frank Odhiambo in the backline. The changes were part of McCarthy's efforts to regroup after the tough loss.

FT

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Duke Abuya came into the team, replacing Richard Odada, who missed a penalty against Estonia, and was handed the captain's armband. Manzur Okwaro kept his midfield role, while William Lenkupae started on the bench.

Austin Odhiambo and Ryan Ogam led the attack, alongside Job Ochieng and Ben Stanley Omondi. But it was Clarke Oduor who had an early chance to put Kenya ahead, set up by Duke Abuya, though he couldn't capitalize on it.

Austin Odhiambo put Kenya ahead, capitalizing on a Trevon Williams foul on Duke Abuya, who was advancing on goal. The free-kick opportunity from outside the area was expertly converted, giving Kenya the lead.

Austin Odhiambo stepped up to take the free-kick, but Trishawn Thomas was equal to it, punching it out for a corner. The corner didn't cause much trouble, with Thomas clearing the danger.

Kenya's pressure paid off in the 13th minute, though. Ryan Ogam's thunderous left-footed shot from outside the box was punched back into play, and Austin Odhiambo was quick to react, sneaking it into the net.

Kenya's lead was doubled five minutes after Austin Odhiambo's opener when Ryan Ogam scored his second goal of the FIFA Series. Ben Stanley Omondi's effort was cleared, but the ball fell to Ogam, who smashed it into the bottom right corner.

Kenya continued to dominate Grenada, with Austin Odhiambo rattling the woodwork in the 32nd minute. Grenada had previously lost their FIFA Series opener 4-0 against hosts Rwanda.

Harambee Stars went into halftime 2-0 up, but they were made to feel a bit lucky given their dominance. They really should've been further ahead.

Halftime Changes

Kenya's substitutes hit the ground running as Benni McCarthy made three changes at halftime, bringing in Mohammed Bajaber, Alpha Onyango, and Daniel Sakari for Stanley Omondi, Erambo, and Rooney Onyango.

Grenada had a sniff of a chance early in the second half, but Farouk Shikhalo was equal to Jabari De Coteau's through ball, spreading his legs to block the shot and conceding a corner.

Benni McCarthy made more tweaks in the 61st minute, bringing in Brian Bwire, Lawrence Ouma, Austin Odhiambo, Clarke Oduor, and Zech Obiero, replacing Shikhalo, Frank Odhiambo, Ogam, Onyango, and Lenkupae.

Kenya had a chance to make it 3-0 in the 74th minute, but William Lenkupae's effort was too weak to trouble Grenada goalkeeper Trishawn Thomas.

The third goal came in the 81st minute, courtesy of Zech Obiero, who scored from inside the box after a deflection. Kenya held firm to seal a 3-0 win, keeping a clean sheet.

The 2026 FIFA Series featured 48 national teams, representing almost a quarter of FIFA's 211 Member Associations, competing in 12 groups of four teams each.

The Series was approved by the FIFA Council in December 2022, aligning with FIFA's Strategic Objectives for the Global Game: 2023-27.

Harambee Stars' next steps?