- The Harambee Stars vs Gabon game will be played at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
- It will be the first time Kenya will be playing at home in more than three years.
- Both Gabon and Kenya have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup tournament.
Nairobi is set to come to a standstill on Sunday evening when Kenya and Gabon battle it out in a mouthwatering 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match.
Kenya will be seeking to pick up the maximum points in the clash that will be staged at the magnificent Nyayo National Stadium from 4 PM East African Time (EAT) as they seek to make their fans proud.
However, the home side will have to be at their absolute best to cage Gabon since the Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang-captained side is enjoying fine form.
Harambee Stars vs Gabon current form
Gabon traveled to Nairobi after hammering Seychelles, the lowest ranked nation in Group F, 3-0 in a one sided encounter.
The Panthers, as they are famously known around the universe, scored their goals through Jim Allevinah and Denis Bouanga (brace).
The win helped them to increase their tally to 12 points and put them in an excellent position of qualifying for a FIFA World Cup for the first time ever.
On the other hand, Kenya made a remarkable comeback in their latest clash away to Gambia to secure a vital point.
Harambee Stars, who are coached by former South Africa international Benni McCarthy, scored their goals via Mohammed Bajaber, Michael Olunga and the highly-rated William Lenkupae.
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Kenya’s camp speak ahead of Sunday’s showdown
McCarthy has acknowledged that they could have done better in that game that was played in Ivory Coast.
“It is going to be very tough (against Gabon). The game against Gambia was exceptionally tough but the team performed really well and stuck to the plan. I know it wasn’t a lot of time for us to prepare, to be together, to gel and to have understanding but I thought we did very well.
Unfortunately, we didn’t win the game, but we are happy we didn’t lose. We can take a lot of positives from that performance. So, we pick up from where we left from the Gambia game because I think we finished stronger and we could have gone on and won the game.
Hopefully, we can continue with the same momentum and we can give them (fans) just an exciting team, a team to be proud of, a team that will fight for every single of the 90 minutes. That will fight for them, yeah, this is a hard working country, and we should be a reflection of our people,” he explained.
The man, who played for the likes of FC Porto and West Ham United in his career, further stated that his players will give everything on the field and hopefully deliver all the three points.
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When asked whether Kenya has a chance of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup that will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, McCarthy stated there is still a chance for most of the teams in the group to book a ticket even via the play-off path.
Meanwhile, Harambee Stars goalkeeper Ian Otieno told the members of the fourth estate that playing at home gives them a higher chance of flogging the visitors.
“I think the preparation is going on well. Everyone is ready to go tomorrow and I think the fact that we are playing at home gives us the psyche going into the game,” commented Otieno.
Aubameyang talks FIFA World Cup dream
Elsewhere, Gabon’s goal poacher Aubameyang stated that they have a lot of ambitions ahead of Sunday’s game.
“I am very happy to be here. It is my first time here. I see that the country is very nice. We have been welcomed very well, so I am very happy to be here.
We will try to win this game obviously. We came here with a lot of ambitions,” offered the 35-year-old speedy forward.
Aubameyang, who had an incredible career with Arsenal, ended by divulging that helping Gabon qualify for the FIFA World Cup is one of his dreams.
“I think that will be something crazy and also amazing, not only for me but for all the country. It has never happened before so it is a big target for us to try to go to the World Cup. I think it will be my best dream and hopefully, I will achieve it,” he offered.
More than 22,000 spectators are expected to watch the Kenya versus Gabon match in the refurbished facility.
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