- Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy was left a disappointed man despite their 0-1 victory over Burundi on Thursday.
- He criticized the Swallows for playing a rough and overly aggressive match during their FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifier clash.
- Ryan Ogam scored Kenya’s lone goal, securing the three points.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has strongly criticized Burundi’s approach during Kenya’s 0-1 victory at the Intwari Stadium in Bujumbura on Thursday.
The former FC Porto striker guided the men’s national team to their third win in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers courtesy of a stunning strike from Wolfsberger AC striker Ryan Ogam, who fired home from outside the box after being set up by captain Michael Olunga.
The goal left Burundi goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana rooted to the spot, unable to react as the ball flew past him.
Benni McCarthy blasts Burundi’s aggressive tactics after Harambee Stars’ 1-0 Win
Speaking after the match, McCarthy South Africa’s all-time top scorer did not hold back, accusing the Burundi players of playing ‘not real football ‘ and putting his team at risk of injury.
“In the first minutes, when your goalkeeper has to receive medical attention because he has a five-inch cut above his eye, that’s very dangerous,” McCarthy said.
“I know as a striker you go for the ball, but if you see you are not going to win it, why put your foot there? It looked like Burundi came for a physical duel and they got away with so many things that were not real football.
“I know both teams wanted to win, but trying to break players’ legs? I did not come to Burundi to face this kind of football. They have a very good team with talented players who can play fair, but today it was not real football.”
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Harambee Stars captain Olunga echoes McCarthy’s sentiments
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga, who provided the assist for Ogam’s winner, echoed his coach’s sentiments on the physical nature of the encounter.
“It was a very difficult match, especially with the pitch conditions and the the temperatures,” Olunga said.
“We knew it was going to be physical; that is part of football. But not this level of aggressive physicality. It was beyond what should be allowed.”
Kenya were forced into an early substitution after goalkeeper Brian Bwire sustained a head injury following a dangerous challenge by Caleb Bimenyimana, who was subsequently shown a straight red card.
Gor Mahia’s Byrne Omondi came on to replace the injured Polokwane City shot-stopper.
The result lifts Harambee Stars to third place in their group with 12 points, ahead of their final qualifier against African Champions Ivory Coast on Tuesday.
Though qualification for the 2026 World Cup is already out of reach, McCarthy will be hoping that his charges will end the year on a high with another spirited display in Abidjan.