Harambee Stars suffered defeat at the hands of Gabon in Benni McCarthy’s second game in charge, but what does the loss mean for the country’s world cup ambition.
Harambee Stars’ aspirations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup took a major hit following their 2-1 loss to Gabon at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
A brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang proved too much for Kenya, with Michael Olunga’s lone goal serving as only a consolation.
The defeat leaves Kenya’s qualification hopes hanging by a thread as the road to North America becomes even more challenging.
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South Africans continue to send mixed signals regarding Benni McCarthy’ appointment as Harambee Stars coach.
Where Kenya Stands in Group F
Following the defeat, Kenya remains fourth in Group F with six points, trailing leaders Gabon (15 points), second-placed Ivory Coast (13 points with a game in hand), and Burundi (7 points).
Gambia follows in fifth with four points, while Seychelles sits at the bottom with zero.
The battle for the top spot in Group F remains tight, with Gabon and Ivory Coast leading the charge.
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Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy still has hopes of clinching a World Cup place despite a draw away to the Gambia as he looks to freshen up the team for Gabon on Sunday.
With only one automatic qualification slot per group, Kenya faces an uphill battle, especially given that their fate is now dependent on both their own performances and results elsewhere.
What Needs to Happen for Kenya to Qualify
With four matches remaining—against Gambia, Seychelles, Burundi, and Ivory Coast—Harambee Stars need nothing short of perfection.
Winning all four games is their best chance of staying in contention. However, even with maximum points, they will need Gabon and Ivory Coast to drop points in their remaining matches.
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Ian Otieno explains what to expect from Benni McCarthy as Harambee Stars welcome Gabon in the 2026 World Cup qualifier clash.
March 24th’s fixtures could have a significant impact on the standings.
A Gambia win against Ivory Coast would see them draw level with Kenya on points or even leapfrog them depending on goal difference.
An Ivory Coast win, on the other hand, could see them overtake Gabon at the top.
A Burundi win against Seychelles would further complicate Kenya’s position.
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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted twice as Harambee Stars suffered a setback in their 2026 World Cup qualifier at Nyayo Stadium.
Kenya’s qualification hopes are now split between two scenarios.
Winning the Group is the safest route but this remains highly unlikely unless both Gabon and Ivory Coast falter significantly.
Another pathway is if Kenya can finish as one of the best second-placed teams across all groups, they will enter a knockout phase against other top-ranked runners-up for a final chance at qualification.
With South African coach Benni McCarthy at the helm, Harambee Stars must rally for a strong finish.
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Benni McCarthy’s second game in charge as Harambee Stars coach ended in defeat to Gabon, denting Kenya’s world cup hopes.
Harambee Stars have shown flashes of potential, but defensive frailties and inconsistency have hindered their progress.
The upcoming matches will be crucial in determining their fate.
While Kenya’s World Cup dream is still mathematically alive, their destiny is no longer entirely in their hands. A flawless run from here on is imperative, but even that may not be enough.
For now, the team must focus on winning their remaining matches and hope for favorable results elsewhere to keep the dream alive.
