Yan Diomande-Inspired Ivory Coast Make Light Work of Kenya’s Harambee Stars to Seal World Cup Place

Ivory Coast brushed aside Kenya's Harambee Stars 3-0 to seal a place at next year's FIFA World Cup.

Kenya’s Harambee Stars endured a forgettable evening in Abidjan as Ivory Coast sealed qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory in their final Group F clash. 

The result saw the Elephants finish top of the group, while Kenya slipped to fourth — ending their qualification campaign on a low note.

First Half

Manzur Okwaro was caught out of possession four minutes into the match, leading to the first of a flurry of chances by Ivory Coast. 

Amad Diallo slalomed through the young defender before passing the ball to Evann Guessand, who nearly found the back of the net with a tame shot that forced Sylvester Owino to clear it off the line.

Stars just would not heed to the warning signs, and in the sixth minute, Frank Kessie would put the home side into the lead, again after Diallo initiated a good move down the right flank before the ball eventually found the former AC Milan man, who made a brilliant run from deep to find the net.

In the 10th minute, Byrne Omondi would be forced into making an excellent save to deny Nicolas Pepe, after another chance was created, with Kenya just struggling to get going.

In the 17th minute, Yan Diomande, who was also running riot down the right hand side, won a free kick after dribbling through three defenders which forced Alphonce Omija into fouling him just outside the box.

From the resultant free kick, Emmanuel Agbadou headed the ball wide from an in-swinging attempt by Nicolas Pepe.

The Ivorians continued dominating, and in the 25th minute, missed out on a glorious chance to score a second when Diomande slid a delicious throughball onto the path of Pepe, who rounded Omondi well but hit the side netting. 

A frustrated Benni McCarthy could only help but watch helplessly from his side’s technical bench, and he saw enough to make changes at the break.

Second Half

He took off Omija and Alpha Onyango, who had come into the match doubtful after picking up an injury for his side, and brought on Adam Wilson and Job Ochieng.

Although they got more positive, it still was not enough to stop the effervescent Diomande from making it two in , as he netted a brilliant individual goal, dribbling his way down the left flank before cutting inside and unleashing a ferocious shot into the box.

McCarthy had no choice but to sub off Michael Olunga in the 67th minute, with the striker totally ineffective for Duke Abuya, as he hoped for some inspiration and some way back into  the game.

Despite Kenya’s best efforts, Diallo would make it three from a well executed free kick into the back of the net in the 84th minute after Collins Sichenje had fouled Sebastian Haller right outside the box.

With that, Ivory Coast not only secured all three points but also their ticket to the 2026 World Cup — a fitting reward for their dominance throughout the qualifiers. Kenya, meanwhile, will have to regroup and rebuild, as yet another qualification dream fades away.