Harambee Stars back home after years as they tackle Gabon

Fresh from a hard fought 3-3 draw against Gambia away in Ivory Coast, Harambee Stars will lock horns today with Gabon in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier match at the Nyayo National Stadium.

This is the moment that Kenyan football fans have been waiting for, for a very long time. They have been yearning to watch the national team play at home and the moment is finally here.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/football/article/2001512851/benni-mccarthy-set-for-kicc-unveiling-as-new-harambee-stars-coach#google_vignette">Stars will play

They will be looking to register their second Group F victory and revive their hopes of qualifying for 2026 global showpiece to be staged in the United States with Canada and Mexico set to host selected matches.

Currently placed fourth in Group F with six points from a win three draws and a loss, Stars need every point they can get from their remaining encounters.

Newly appointed Stars coach Benni McCarthy will have an opportunity to win the hearts of football enthusiasts who are hopeful that he will change the country’s fortunes after enduring a string of poor results from his predecessors.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/football/article/2001513030/is-benni-mccarthy-the-man-to-lead-harambee-stars-into-the-promised-land">However, the Kenyans< will have to be at their best against the Panthers who are second on the standings with 12 points.

Gabon have won four out of the five encounters with their only loss being 1-0 against Ivory Coast. Stars will be looking to overturn the 2-1 loss away at the Stade the Franceville in Franceville, Gabon.

Today, McCarthy who is still at the experimental stage with Stars and is yet to settle on his first 11 is likely to make changes following an impressive show from his substitutes against Gambia.

Jonah Ayunga, Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae came off the bench to help Stars rally from two goals down to snatch a point in a three-all draw.

The trio’s contribution resulted in the three goals. Ayunga was fouled in the box winning a penalty that saw Kenya pull one back through captain Michael Olunga. Bajaber and Lenkupae outwitted the Gambian defence to score the second and third goals to help Kenya salvage a point.

McCarthy said that they will build on their positives from their encounter with Gambia.

“We might have to change the team slightly because we want to go for a win but we can’t take Gabon lightly because they are a very strong team,” McCarthy said.

="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/sports/football/article/2001513542/benni-mccarthy-names-harambee-stars-provisional-squad-for-2026-fifa-world-cup-qualifiers">The Kenyan defence< which struggled against Gambia will be wary of Gabon’s dangermen Dennis Bouanga and Guelor Kanga who scored against them. Bouanga will lead in offence while Kanga will control the midfield alongside Clech Loufilou and Medwin Biteghe.

As the qualifiers enter match day six today, Ivory Coast leads Group F with 13 points, Burundi are third with seven, Gambia are fifth with four while Seychelles who have lost all their matches are at the bottom with no point.