Player Ratings: Ivory Coast 3-0 Kenya — Harambee Stars Outclassed as World Cup Dream Ends

How Harambee Stars players performed in a miserable game of football against Ivory Coast which saw them coast to an easy 3-0 win.

Kenya’s Harambee Stars suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat to Ivory Coast in Abidjan, bringing their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign to a disappointing close.

 The Elephants, led by the brilliant Yan Diomande and Amad Diallo, were dominant from start to finish, while Benni McCarthy’s men looked second best in every department.

Here’s how the Stars rated in a night to forget:

Byrne Omondi-2

Byrne Omondi had potentially his worst game in a Kenyan shirt ever since making his debut for the team in June 2023.

Omondi was not his usual calm and collected self. He got caught out on a couple of occasions and was not as commanding in the air as he normally is. He could also have done better with Amad Diallo’s freekick goal, and it is a game he will want to forget.

Alphonce Omija-2

Alphonce Omija was a shadow of the player he was against Ivory Coast during the first leg in Malawi.

Alongside Daniel Sakari, he was tormented by Yan Diomande before being subbed off at half time. He regularly lost his 1 v 1 duels against the RB Leipzig man.

Sylvester Owino-4

Possibly the best of the three center backs that started the match. He made alot of clearances, and on the ball, tried to make some long switches of play to evade the Ivorian high press, but overall, will want to forget the game.

Collins Sinchenje-4

He also did well trying to clear the danger as much as possible, but Collins Sichenje also will wish for better days ahead, as the team in general struggled to get going.

Manzur Okwaro-2

Faced the biggest test of his blossoming career, and understood what it takes to play at the highest levels. Okwaro lost his man Amad Diallo on a couple of occasions.

The first goal was as a result of easily letting Diallo create a good inroad into the final third. He must learn quickly from the defeat.

Alpha Onyango-2

Alpha Onyango was doubtful for the international break due to injury, and he played like a player rocked like one.He was a shadow of the player he was during CHAN 2024. Struggled to spring a pass. Often released it late, and was not able to carry the ball as dynamically as he normally would.

Timothy Ouma-2

Timothy Ouma resembled the player he was in September against Gambia, when he looked off the pace. After a brilliant display against Burundi, one would have expected him to maintain his momentum, but he struggled.

William Lenkupae-2

William Lenkupae also struggled to match the pace of the Ivorian midfield despite his endavor and hard work, and was rightly subbed off in the second half.

Michael Olunga-2

The captain was perhaps the worst player on the pitch on the night. Barely got any service, and with the few touches of the ball he got, constantly miscontrolled it.He was subbed off in the 67th minute and rightly so.

Ryan Ogam-4

Ryan Ogam looked lost and isolated throughout the match even if he completed the full 90 minutes for the first time since his debut for the main side last September. 

Adam Wilson-4

Adam Wilson tried to stretch the pitch when he came on as a half time substitute, but barely produced chances of real quality.

Job Ochieng -5

Job Ochieng tried to run at his right back when he came on as a substitute and was arguably the better of the two wingers, but ultimately, did not have any impact in the final third.

Duke Abuya -5

Duke Abuya had to do more running without the ball, but he did more in the 23 minutes he was given on the pitch than Olunga, who he actually replaced.

Marvin Nabwire-N/A

Marvin Nabwire came on in the 81st minute but did not have time to really change the outcome of the game.

Austin Odhiambo -N/A

Austin Odhiambo came on in the 81st minute but did not have time to really change the outcome of the game.

Kenya’s campaign ends on a deflating note — a stark reminder of the gulf that still exists between them and Africa’s elite. For Benni McCarthy, this will serve as both a lesson and a call for a major rebuild ahead of the next qualification cycle.