Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has given a worrying update on goalkeeper Brian Bwire following the nasty injury he sustained during Kenya’s 1-0 victory over Burundi in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.
The match started on a tense note when Bwire was involved in a heavy collision with Burundian striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana in the opening minute. The forward lunged in an attempt to reach the ball but ended up striking the Kenyan goalkeeper, leaving him in visible pain and requiring immediate medical attention.
The incident left Bwire with a deep five-inch cut above his eye, forcing him to be stretchered off the pitch and replaced by Byrne Omondi. The Burundian forward was shown a straight red card for the dangerous tackle, leaving his side with 10 men for the remainder of the game. Despite the setback, Kenya managed to secure a crucial 1-0 win thanks to Ryan Ogam’s stunning second-half strike.
Speaking after the match, McCarthy expressed his frustration over the reckless challenge and criticized Burundi’s physical approach to the game. The coach condemned the lack of sportsmanship shown in the incident, describing it as unnecessary and dangerous.
“In the first minute when your goalkeeper has to receive medical attention because he has a five-inch cut above his eye, that’s worrying,” McCarthy said. “As a striker, you go for the ball, but when you know you won’t reach it, you don’t endanger another player. That challenge was reckless.”
The coach admitted that losing Bwire so early in the match affected the team’s rhythm, with some players becoming cautious to avoid further injuries. “When you lose your goalkeeper in the first minute, it becomes tough because the rest of the team gets nervous,” he added.
Bwire, who has been enjoying an impressive run of form, was making his second consecutive start for Kenya after featuring in the 5-0 win over Seychelles in September. His recent performances have also seen him cement his place as the first-choice goalkeeper at his South African club, Polokwane City.
It remains unclear how long Bwire will be sidelined, but the injury is a major concern for both Harambee Stars and his club. Kenya will hope for a quick recovery as they prepare for their next World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast.
