When is Kenya’s World Cup Qualifier Match Against Gambia and Where to Watch It?

Kenya’s Harambee Stars are set to continue their pursuit of qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. They are travelling to Ivory Coast to take on Gambia.

The Harambee Stars are aiming for their inaugural appearance in this prestigious tournament, scheduled from 11 June to 19 July 2026. They will be eager to secure all three points in the vital Group F clash on matchday five.

When is the match between Gambia and Kenya?

The upcoming encounter between Gambia’s Scorpions and the Harambee Stars is set to take place on Thursday, 20 March, at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium. This location has been chosen since Gambia lacks a stadium that meets the high standards required by FIFA or the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for significant matches.

Commonly referred to as the Olympic Stadium of Ebimpe and previously known as the National Stadium of Ivory Coast, this multi-purpose venue opened its doors in 2020 and is situated in Ebimpe, a locality in northern Abidjan.

The stadium regularly hosts major football encounters, including home matches for the Ivory Coast national team. With a capacity of 60,000, the Alassane Ouattara Stadium is the largest in Ivory Coast and stands as one of the most modern stadiums across Africa.

Where to watch the game on TV?

The match will kick off at 22:00 EAT (20:00 CET), but no Kenyan television channel has acquired rights to broadcast the event. Nevertheless, it will be available to view live on SuperSport TV.

Kenya’s qualification journey so far

Notably, this match will mark the debut for Kenya’s new head coach, Benni McCarthy. The South African football icon has stepped in to replace Engin Firat, who managed the Harambee Stars during their first four group outings.

Kenya’s qualifying journey kicked off poorly with a 2-1 defeat to Gabon at Stade de Franceville on 16 November 2023. The match saw the Panthers rally from behind after Kenya’s Masoud Juma had opened the scoring in the 40th minute.

Subsequent goals from Denis Bouanga and Guelor Kanga in the 60th and 88th minutes respectively secured the win for Gabon. In their second fixture against Seychelles at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Kenya made a resounding comeback, hammering the Islanders 5-0.

Striker Michael Olunga of Al Duhail SC was at the forefront, scoring twice in the third and sixth minutes, with Masoud Juma adding a third before half-time. Rooney Onyango and substitute Benson Omalla rounded off the scoring with goals in the 66th and 73rd minutes, respectively, giving Kenya their first win of the qualification process.

Matchday three saw Kenya play as the home team at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi, against Burundi. They opted for this alternate venue as their main stadiums—Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium—were under renovations in preparation for upcoming tournaments.

After a goalless first half, Harambee Stars gained the lead when Duke Abuya scored from a free-kick in the 72nd minute. Unfortunately for Kenya, a defensive error allowed Sudi Abdallah to equalise for Burundi, denying Kenya the full points.

The fourth match saw them facing African champions Ivory Coast at the same venue. Despite dominating play, they could only manage a 0-0 draw. Gambia, sharing a difficult journey, started their campaign with a 3-2 loss to Burundi at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Tanzania.

After the loss to Burundi, Gambia faced Ivory Coast at home, suffering another setback with a 2-0 defeat due to second-half strikes from Christian Kouame and Seko Fofana. In a positive turn, they bounced back on match day three with a crushing 5-1 win over Seychelles, with Muhammed Badamosi netting twice, while Musa Barrow, Yankuba Minteh, and Adam Sidibeh also found the back of the net.

On matchday four, Gambia faced Gabon at Stade de Franceville but were unable to secure a win, losing 3-2. Goals from Jim Allevinah, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Bouanga secured victory for Gabon, while Minteh and substitute Ebou Adams registered goals for Gambia.

Team News

Gambia’s coach, Jonathan McKinstry, who previously won two Kenyan Premier League titles with Gor Mahia, has named an exciting squad featuring Brighton & Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh.

Other notable talents include former Bologna attacker Musa Barrow, Sheriff Sinyan—a Norway-born defender representing CFR Cluj in Romania, and forward Gibril Sillah from Tanzanian club Azan FC.

Gambia full squad

Goalkeepers: Ebrima Jarju, Sheikh Sibi, Musa Dibaga.

Defenders: Omar Colley, Omar Gaye, Lars Joseph Ceesay, Sheriff Sinyan, Dadi Dadou Gaye, Mamadou Lion Njie.

Midfielders: Saikou Touray, Ebrima Adams, Abubakar Barry, Alassana Manneh, Mahmudu Bajo, Ebrima Darboe, Ablie Jallow.

Forwards: Musa Barrow, Alieu Fadera, Gibril Sillah, Yankuba Minteh, Abdoulie Sanyang, Ali Sowe, Abdoulie Ceesay, Alassana Jaffa.

On the side of Kenya, McCarthy will lead a squad of 25 players, with captain Olunga at the forefront. Defenders Joseph Okumu from French Ligue 1 side Reims, Brian Mandela from Stellensbosch in South Africa, and Gor Mahia’s Rooney Onyango are also included in the line-up.

Kenya full squad

Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno, Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikhalo.

Defenders: Joseph Okumu, Jonstone Omurwa, Brian Mandela, Collins Sichenje, Daniel Anyembe, Amos Nondi, Erick Ouma, Manzur Okwaro, Ronny Onyango.

Midfielders: Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Ismael Gonzalez, Timothy Ouma, Eric Johana, Duke Abuya, Mohammed Bajaber, Ben Stanley Omondi.

Forwards: Michael Olunga, Masud Juma, Jonah Ayunga, Elvis Rupia, John Avire.

What are the coaches saying?

Coach McCarthy is optimistic about securing a victory against Gambia to tighten the gap with group leaders Ivory Coast.

“If we can beat Gabon, then we can confidently say we’re on the right track toward achieving our ultimate dream—survival in the group stages and hopefully catching up to Ivory Coast at the top spot,” he remarked.

“It’s going to be hard work, but the talent and quality within the team is evident, so it’s just about getting everything right and when that happens, I believe everyone will take pride in the team,” he added.

On the other hand, McKinstry voiced concerns over facing a rejuvenated Kenyan side now under McCarthy’s management, anticipating a more aggressive style of play.

“If you’d asked me six months ago, I would have said to expect a Kenyan team focused on a low block, defending and relying on set-pieces, as that was the strategy of the previous coach. However, with Benni at the helm now, it’s a fresh start. Historically, his teams in South Africa were known for their pressing and attacking style,” he stated.

As of now, Kenya sits fourth in the group with five points from four matches, while Ivory Coast leads with 10 points, Gabon follows in second with nine points, and Burundi is third with seven points, leaving Gambia at the bottom with three points.