Following a 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match, Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has estimated it will take two years for his team to compete at the same level as the reigning African champions.
During the match on Tuesday, October 14, in Abidjan, Kenya was unable to match the pace and skill of the Ivorian team and did not manage a single shot on target.
McCarthy explained that the loss was largely due to the difference in player experience, pointing out that Ivory Coast’s team features top-tier talent from major European clubs, like Amad Diallo and Nicolas Pépé. He described his own squad as a young, developing team that found it nearly impossible to contain such high-caliber individual players.
Despite the heavy loss, McCarthy framed the game as a valuable learning experience. He expressed optimism that with two more years of development, the Harambee Stars will be better prepared to challenge elite teams like Ivory Coast. This match was Kenya’s last official fixture of the year.
