- Harambee Stars will face Ivory Coast today, Tuesday, October 14, in the final Group F match of the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers.
- The match will take place at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium, kicking off at 10 pm EAT.
- Mariga hopes that a victory over Cote d’Ivoire will improve Kenya’s ranking, which could help players secure direct transfers to European clubs.
Football Kenya Federation Vice President McDonald Mariga has stated that it’s not over yet for the Harambee Stars in the FIFA 2026 World Cup Qualifiers as the team prepares to face Ivory Coast in their final Group F match.
The Harambee Stars will take on the African champions today, Tuesday, October 14, at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium, starting at 10 pm EAT.
Ivory Coast’s dreams of qualifying for next year’s World Cup hinge entirely on defeating Kenya or securing a draw.
They must also keep a close watch on the other fixture, where Gabon will face Burundi. With Gabon and Ivory Coast separated by just one point, the Elephants must secure a victory against Kenya.
Anything less, and if Gabon manages to snatch all three points against Burundi, the AFCON defending champions will be eliminated from automatic qualification and thrown into the playoffs.
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Mariga explains why winning the Ivory Coast match is still vital for Harambee Stars
Although Kenya has nothing to lose in this dead-rubber clash, Mariga, speaking during a training session ahead of the encounter, stated that while Kenya’s primary hopes were dashed after failing to win their initial matches, the team still has a compelling reason to fight: FIFA ranking points.
“The players have prepared well, and the morale in the camp has been positive. All we are waiting for is Tuesday’s match to get a good result. We came in late to these qualifiers, so we are out of contention, but it’s not over yet because we are still chasing a better ranking – at least to climb a few spots higher.”
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Kenya is currently ranked 111th in the FIFA Rankings as of September. Mariga hopes that a victory against Cote D’Ivoire will boost their position, which he says would be advantageous for the players, potentially facilitating direct transfers to European clubs.
However, he acknowledges that the match will be far from easy.
“A match against Ivory Coast is a formidable challenge. They are leading the group, and this is a must-win for them, just as it is a must-win for us to finish in a better position and improve our ranking.”
“A higher ranking will make it easier for Harambee Stars players to secure direct transfers from Kenya to Europe or bigger clubs. We want to make the path as smooth as possible for our players so they can focus on playing good football.”