- Harambee Stars and Guinea enter the clash chasing their first victory of the 2027 AFCON qualification campaign following opening matchweek setbacks.
- Kick off set for 7pm EAT/4pm Local Time.
- Across 8 total meetings, the record is completely even at four wins apiece and a 100% home win rate for whichever nation plays hosting duties.
Fresh off their arrival in West Africa, Harambee Stars face a tricky test in Conakry as they take on Guinea at the Stade du 28 Septembre on Thursday evening as both sides head into Matchweek 2 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification (Group D) campaign.
The clash will mark the ninth meeting between the two nations since their initial clash on December 20, 1992, in FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Kenya last tasted victory against Guinea in June 2008 with a 2-0 win in Nairobi, but their quest to snap a 34-year wait for a win on Guinean soil comes amid a long-awaited homecoming for the Syli National, who are returning to play in Conakry for the first time in 1,575 days since June 2022.
Although Kenya have already secured automatic qualification for AFCON 2027 as tournament co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, Benni McCarthy’s side are treating the group phase as an important preparation.
Harambee Stars will look to secure maximum points away from home following a 1-1 draw against Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium on Matchweek 1.
On the other hand, Guinea arrive in Conakry under pressure to bounce back from an opening-day 2-1 defeat to South Africa, intent on taking full advantage of the home advantage.
Harambee Stars enter the fixture holding a perfectly balanced overall international record of 282 wins, 189 draws, and 282 losses.
What was said before the game?
Paulo Duarte (Guinea Head Coach):
“Normally, I shouldn’t reveal this, but if you have been paying attention, the starting goalkeeper will change. As for the rest of the team, there will be two, possibly three changes. One of them is because I am not satisfied with the quality or intensity provided by certain players.”
“I had been very clear with my group: I don’t want anyone operating at 50%. I was promised 100% commitment, with no physical weakness, no mental doubts, and no lack of confidence.”
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Benni McCarthy (Kenya Head Coach):
“Based on what I saw when we faced Eritrea on Saturday, I highly doubt we will be intimidated in Guinea. I definitely hope that our finishing in the final third will be better. We had a very good performance and dominated the game, but we need to turn that into goals.”
Guinea vs Kenya Stats & Key Trends
Every single match in the history of this fixture has been won by the host nation (100% home win record across 8 games).
Kenya and Guinea have never drawn an international fixture against each other.
All eight previous meetings between Kenya and Guinea took place in FIFA World Cup qualifying; Thursday’s match is their first encounter in AFCON qualification history.
With the stakes exceedingly high in Conakry, both Guinea and Kenya will be chasing their first wins of the 2027 qualifying phase.
A win for either side will see them end the October international break sitting second in the Group D standings, right behind group leaders South Africa who secured a dominant 5-0 win over Eritrea on Wednesday afternoon to bag a maximum 6/6 points after winning the first clash against Guinea in Orlando.