- Looking for Burundi vs Kenya prediction? Check match preview, key stats, team news and betting insights.
- The Burundi vs Kenya game will be played at Intwari Stadium Thursday evening.
- Kickoff is at 4.00PM EAT.
The men’s national team, Harambee Stars, departed for Bujumbura on Tuesday ahead of their World Cup 2026 Group F qualifier against Burundi, scheduled for Thursday evening.
With nothing left to fight for in the qualifiers, both sides will enter the Intwari Stadium purely in pursuit of bragging rights.
This marks the penultimate fixture for both teams, with Kenya’s dream of a maiden World Cup appearance effectively ending in September after a 1-3 defeat to The Gambia on home turf at the Moi International Sports Centre.
Despite rebounding with a 5-0 thrashing of Seychelles later that same month at the same venue, the results left Benni McCarthy’s squad in fifth place in Group F with nine points.
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They trail leaders Ivory Coast (20 points) and second-place Gabon (19 points), while Gambia and Burundi sit in third and fourth place respectively, each with ten points.
The maximum points Kenya can now accumulate is 15, leaving them with the sole objective of asserting their dominance in the two remaining matches.
A strong finish could also boost their position in the upcoming FIFA rankings, where Kenya currently sits in 111th place.
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Burundi finds itself in a similar predicament. Having collected ten points from three wins, one draw, and four losses, they also have no tangible reward left to play for.
Unlike Kenya, who secured one victory in their September fixtures, Burundi endured a pair of defeats, falling 1-0 to Ivory Coast before a 2-0 loss to Gambia.
Here are the key details you need to know ahead of the Burundi vs Kenya match.
What time does Burundi vs Kenya kick off?
Burundi will host Kenya at the Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura on Thursday, October 9, with kick-off at 4:00 PM EAT.
The Swallows vs Harambee Stars: Team News
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy faces uncertainty over three key players who are battling injuries ahead of the match.
The trio consists of captain Michael Olunga, Alpha Onyango, and Rooney Onyango. The coach has not provided any specific updates but remains hopeful they will be fit.
Austine Odhiambo has earned a recall to the national team after winning back the coach’s trust and will be hoping to make a significant impact.
If Olunga is unavailable, the team will likely turn to Ryan Ogam to lead the line, while youngster Lawrence Okoth could be in line for his national team debut.
For Burundi, coach Patrick Sangwa has named an unchanged squad from September’s fixtures.
However, two key players were omitted: national team captain Frederic Nsabiyumva and Sudi Abdallah, despite the latter being a joint top scorer for The Swallows in this World Cup qualifying campaign.
What are the possible lineups for Burundi vs Kenya?
- Burundi: Nahimana, Weymans, Nduwarugira, Niyukuri, Dushime, Muderi, Girumugisha, Bizoza, Msanga, Eldhino, Kanakimana
- Kenya: Omondi Harper, Sichenje, Owino, Okwaro, Ouma, Austine, Lenkupae, Muchiri, Ochieng, Ogam
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy positive ahead of the Burundi clash
Speaking ahead of the match, the South African international stated that despite the first leg ending in a draw, he felt Kenya had the opportunity to win but let their opponents off the hook.
He is confident his side has improved since that encounter and is hopeful for a positive result.
“In the first leg, we let them off the hook. We should’ve won that game. But we’ve grown since then. We’ve analyzed that match, worked on our weaknesses, and are preparing thoroughly.
It’s not about revenge; it’s about growth, dominance, and showing how far we’ve come. This is an opportunity for the boys to express themselves, and we’re focused on finishing strong.”
Burundi vs Kenya: Form Guide- Head-to-Head
In the last eight meetings between these two sides since 2007, Kenya and Burundi have each won twice, with four encounters ending in a draw.
Their most recent match was in June 2024 for the World Cup qualifiers’ first leg, which ended in a 1-1 draw in Malawi. Kenya took the lead through Duke Abuya before Sudi Abdallah equalized in the final minutes.
Burundi vs Kenya: Current Form
The Swallows have lost two of their last six matches, winning two and drawing one.
- World Cup Qualifiers Form: DWLWLL
- All Competitions Form: LWWDLL
Harambee Stars managed to win their most recent fixture.
- World Cup Qualifiers Form: DDDLLW
- All Competitions Form: DWWLLW
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Main takeaways: McCarthy’s 10th official match while Olunga chases all-time top scorer record
This match will be Benni McCarty’s tenth official game in charge since his appointment in March.
His record so far stands at four wins, two draws, and three losses.
Five of those matches were in the CHAN 2024 tournament, where he secured three wins, one draw, and one loss.
This World Cup qualifier will be his fifth, as he seeks his second win after two draws and two losses.
McCarthy’s Record:
- 4 Wins: 1-0 vs DR Congo, 1-0 vs Morocco, 1-0 vs Zambia, 5-0 vs Seychelles
- 3 Losses: 1-2 vs Gabon, 1(3)-1(4) vs Madagascar, 1-3 vs Gambia
- 2 Draws: 3-3 vs Gambia, 1-1 vs Angola
Away from McCarthy’s quest for a strong finish, captain Michael Olunga will be on a personal mission.
He is just two goals away from becoming Kenya’s all-time top scorer, currently sitting on 34 goals, two behind the record of 35 held by William Ouma.
Burundi vs Kenya Prediction
Kenya has shown considerable improvement since the former Manchester United forward coach took over and will enter this match as the more in-form side, seeking nothing less than a victory and the accompanying bragging rights.
However, they cannot afford to underestimate a Burundian side that will be boosted by home support and is also chasing three points to improve their standing in Group F.
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This fixture has not typically been a high-scoring affair, but with Kenya’s current attacking options looking more lethal, we could be treated to an entertaining match where the Harambee Stars capitalize on their opportunities.