5 Key Harambee Stars Players Who Could Help Benni McCarthy Upset Ivory Coast in Abidjan

Kenya’s Harambee Stars are gearing up for one of their toughest assignments yet — a World Cup qualifier clash against reigning African champions Ivory Coast in Abidjan on Tuesday night.

After holding the Elephants to a gritty 0-0 draw in the first leg last year, the Stars will head into this encounter with renewed belief under new head coach Benni McCarthy, who is chasing a statement result to underline his arrival.

The stakes are sky-high: Ivory Coast are targeting a ticket to the 2026 World Cup, while Kenya are desperate to end their campaign in commanding manner, with the side on course for a third place finish on 15 points. The odds may be stacked against the visitors, but several key players could be crucial in scripting a famous upset.

Here are five Harambee Stars players who could help Kenya shock the Elephants in their own backyard.

Byrne Omondi will have an incredibly integral role to play on Tuesday night, especially with Ivory Coast looking to go all out as they seek to cement automatic qualification  to the World Cup by finishing first.

Stars will likely have less of the ball against the Elephants, who will be buoyed by a large crowd who will be expecting to see their team qualify for the global showpiece for the first time in 12 years.

As a result, Omondi, who has established himself as the country’s first choice goalkeeper with assured displays in goal every time he gets to don the shirt, will have to be alert against a side that boasts talented attackers like Amad Diallo, Oumar Diakite, Evann Guessand, Simon Adingra and Sebastian Haller.

His commanding presence coming for aerial balls from crosses and dead ball situations will also be key. He has proven he can step up against big sides, including Morocco during the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN).

Michael Olunga is the most experienced member of the current squad, alongside Abud Omar, and if there is a moment where he will be needed to stand up and be counted, it is going to be during tomorrow’s game.

The former Gor Mahia man led by example on Friday, even if he did not score a goal. His hold up play was vital in helping the side create chances in transitional situations, and he is also the man that assisted Ryan Ogam for his winning goal, a belter left-footed shot from outside the box.

Olunga is also chasing a personal record, with the man just two goals shy of equaling William ‘Chege’ Ouma’s all time goalscoring record of 36 for the national team, and getting a goal against such a formidable opponent would go a really long way.

Manzur Okwaro has become an increasingly influential and important member of the Harambee Stars squad ever since making his debut for the side against Gabon last March.

After shining for the Rising Stars at the U20 AFCON in Egypt last May, Okwaro was given a chance at CHAN 2024, and shone in an unorthodox midfield role.

He has since had chances to show his worth even for the main side, and will now likely start at left back ahead of Abud Omar.

He will be up against  RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande, who shone on his debut for Ivory Coast against Seychelles. His pace, athleticism and defensive awareness will be crucial in nullifying the former Leganes man.

Collins Sichenje will likely start at center back alongside Sylvester Owino, and both defenders will have an integral role to play against Guesserand, Diakite and the likes of Sebastian Haller.

His pace and aerial dominance are attributes that will be needed for this clash, which could well frustrate the Ivorians from getting all the three points.

In the absence of Joseph Okumu, who is still recuperating from a long term knee injury, Sichenje has stepped up to the plate, and needs to show why he deserves to maintain a place in the team.

Job Ochieng might likely get the nod at left wing on Tuesday, with Benni McCarthy likely to prefer options that will give the side pace on the break. This means that Adam Wilson and Boniface Muchiri will likely start on the bench.

Ochieng has scored one goal and registered two assists for his club side Real Sociedad B in La Liga 2, and has looked sharp and decisive in all of his three caps for the national side since his debut last September. 

He will be tasked with taking on Armel Junior Zohouri, who also recently made his debut for Ivory Coast.

Kenya may be the underdogs heading into Abidjan, but under Benni McCarthy, there’s a renewed sense of belief and structure within the Harambee Stars camp.