McCarthy says Kenya has a long way to go after World Cup miss
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy believes Kenya must continue building and learning if they are to compete with Africa’s top football nations..
✨ Key Highlights
Kenya's Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy stated that the nation has a long way to go to compete with Africa's top football nations after their 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in the final Group F match of the World Cup qualifiers, ending their 2026 World Cup dream.
- Kenya finished fourth in Group F with 12 points, behind Gambia (13), Gabon (25), and winners Ivory Coast (26).
- Head coach Benni McCarthy emphasized that the team is young and learning, and aims to build a competitive side for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
- The loss to Ivory Coast confirmed the significant gap between Kenya and the continent's elite football nations, highlighting the need for continued development.
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Odinga's Death Impacts CAF Match; Harambee Stars' World Cup Dream Ends - October 2025
The Pamoja Chan 2024 Local Organising Committees (LOC) of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are mourning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who passed away in India. Due to the national mourning for Mr. Odinga, a CAF Champions League match between Kenya Police and Al Hilal Omdurman faces venue uncertainty as his funeral mass is scheduled at the original venue, Nyayo Stadium. Chaos at the alternative Kasarani Stadium has compounded the issue for football officials. In separate football news, Kenya's Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy stated that the nation has a long way to go to compete with Africa's top nations. The comment followed a 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in the final Group F match, which ended Kenya's 2026 World Cup dream.
