Today, Thursday, March 20, 2025, Kenya’s Harambee Stars take on the Gambia Scorpions in a critical matchday five fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) region. The match kicks off at 10:00 PM East Africa Time (EAT) and will be held at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Gambia, the designated home side, is compelled to play outside its borders due to the absence of a FIFA- or CAF-approved stadium at home. This encounter could be a defining moment for Kenya as they pursue a historic first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup, set to take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026.
Kenya Harambee Stars
Head coach Benni McCarthy has assembled a 25-man squad for this qualifier and the upcoming clash with Gabon. Captain Michael Olunga, a lethal striker in Qatar, leads a team blending local talent with overseas-based players. New call-ups include Eric Johana Omondi, Daniel Francis Anyembe, and Richard Odada, who will link up with the squad in Abidjan. Local standouts like Rooney Onyango and goalkeeper Farouk Shikhalo also feature, though FKF Premier League MVP Austin Odhiambo was surprisingly omitted.
Provisional Squad:
Gambia Scorpions
Led by Jonathan McKinstry, a former Gor Mahia boss with two Kenyan Premier League titles to his name, Gambia boasts a competitive squad. Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh is the standout star, flanked by ex-Bologna forward Musa Barrow and CFR Cluj defender Sheriff Sinyan. Gibril Sillah of Tanzanian side Azan FC adds flair to their attack.
Final Squad:
Hype Around Kenya’s New Coach
The arrival of Benni McCarthy as Harambee Stars head coach has sparked a wave of excitement across Kenyan football. A South African legend who won the UEFA Champions League with FC Porto, McCarthy brings a rich pedigree, including a stint as Manchester United’s strikers coach under Erik ten Hag from 2022 to 2024. His time at Old Trafford saw him sharpen the finishing of stars like Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund, and Kenyan fans hope he can work similar magic with Michael Olunga and the Harambee Stars’ forwards. Known for his attacking, high-pressing philosophy from spells at Cape Town City and AmaZulu, McCarthy has vowed to instill a fighting spirit in his new team. “Our first priority is the Gambia game,” he said recently. “We want a team ready to go out and compete.” His appointment signals a bold new chapter for Kenyan football, with supporters buzzing about his potential impact.
Captain Michael Olunga has embraced McCarthy’s vision, saying, “We have a new coach who believes in the players… the group is still open, and we’re ready to fight.” With McCarthy’s debut on the sidelines, the Harambee Stars are poised to make a statement.
CAF Group F table:
Kenya’s Path to History
Kenya has never graced the FIFA World Cup stage, but the 2026 tournament—with its expanded 48-team format—offers a golden opportunity. CAF will send nine group winners directly to the finals, while the four best runners-up enter a playoff, with one advancing to the inter-confederation playoffs for an additional spot. Sitting fourth in Group F with five points, Kenya trails Ivory Coast (10), Gabon (9), and Burundi (7). A win against Gambia today would lift them to eight points, keeping them in the hunt for the top spot with five games left.
The Crucial Home Clash vs. Gabon
Kenya’s next test comes quickly, as they host Gabon on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Kickoff is slated for 4:00 PM EAT, and a packed house is expected as fans rally behind McCarthy’s revitalized side. Gabon, currently second with nine points, stunned Kenya 2-1 in Libreville in November 2023, making this a revenge mission as much as a qualification lifeline. A victory could see Kenya leapfrog Gabon in the standings, especially if paired with a win today against Gambia. With Olunga’s scoring instincts and McCarthy’s tactical nous, the Harambee Stars will look to turn Nyayo into a fortress and ignite their World Cup dreams.
Today’s showdown in Abidjan is a stepping stone toward a dream decades in the making. Under Benni McCarthy—whose resume boasts sharpening Manchester United’s forwards and lifting trophies in Europe—the Harambee Stars are ready to seize their moment. Beating Gambia, followed by a statement win against Gabon at home, could propel Kenya toward the top of Group F and a historic 2026 World Cup berth. For a nation inspired by the Junior Starlets’ U-17 World Cup qualification, the time is now for the senior team to make history of their own.
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