Kenya Harambee Stars played their second home against Ivory Coast in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Engin Firat named a very strong squad for that encounter and his squad had: Patrick Matasi, Aboud Omar, Johnstone Omurwa, Daniel Anyembe, Alphonce Omija, Timothy Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Rooney Onyango, Richard Odada, Kenneth Muguna and Michael Olunga.
Emerse Fae who is also the Coach of Ivory Coast also named a very strong squad for that encounter and it had: Fofana Yahia, Ndicka Obite Evan, Singo Wilfried, Konan Ghislain, Willy Bolly, Kessie Frank, Fofana Seko, Adingra Simon, Latte Lath Junior, Boga Jeremie and Amani Lazare.
Kenya Harambee Stars really performed well and the players really held the Ivory Coast players. The first half ended 0-0 and it was very evident that the second half was going to be a charged one.
Kenya Harambee Stars performed equally better in the second half and the players missed a couple of good chances that could have been converted to goals. Captain Michael Olunga had some good chances but they were eventually not converted.
It was even difficult to realize that Kenya Harambee Stars had a better game as compared to the Africa Cup of Nations Champions who are ranked 69 places above them. The game was a good one and the players need to be recommended for at least collecting a point from them.
Engin Firat made only three changes in his squad. He substituted Kenneth Muguna who was very quiet in the second half and replaced him with Duke Abuya who injected new energy into the team. He also substituted Timothy Ouma and replaced him with Chris Erambo and Richard Odada with Clyde Senaji.
Emerse Fae of Ivory Coast made a total of five substitutions for him to cope up with the game of Kenya Harambee Stars. He substituted Jeremie Boga and replaced him with Oumar Diakite, Emmanuel Latte Lath with Evann Guessand, Lazare Amani with Jean Michael Seri, Frank Kessie with Nicolas Pepe and Simon Adingra with Mohammed Diomande.
Simon Adingra was well marked and he had very little touches on the ball and that is why the Coach decided to substitute him. The game ended 0-0.
