Harambee Stars are gearing up for a crucial World Cup qualifying showdown against African champions Ivory Coast in Abidjan, with the team’s technical bench promising an attacking approach rather than a defensive setup. Assistant coach Vasili Manousakis has made it clear that Kenya will not “park the bus” but instead take the game to the Elephants as they look to continue their impressive run of form.
Speaking during the team’s final training session in Abidjan, Manousakis emphasized the growing confidence within the Kenyan camp after back-to-back wins over Burundi and Seychelles — both achieved with clean sheets. The South African tactician noted that the current squad under head coach Benni McCarthy has developed a winning mindset that they intend to maintain even against top opposition.
“Anytime the national team takes the pitch, the intention is to win,” he said. “We have built a culture where the players believe in themselves, and that belief is showing on the pitch. With two straight victories away from home, the mentality is strong, and the focus is on continuing that momentum.”
Manousakis acknowledged that facing Ivory Coast would be a huge challenge, given the quality in their ranks and their unbeaten record in the group. However, he believes that Kenya’s resilience and discipline will make them tough to beat. The coach highlighted the team’s maturity and ability to grind out results, as seen in their narrow win over Burundi, where they held firm under pressure to secure maximum points.
Despite the attacking firepower of the Elephants — including Sebastien Haller, Simon Adingra, and Amad Diallo — Kenya has no plans to sit back. Manousakis stressed that defending for 90 minutes against such quality would be risky and counterproductive.
“The mindset is to play on the front foot and go for the win. Sitting deep for 97 or 98 minutes is not our style. We’ll stay proactive, press when we can, and use our pace to hurt them,” he explained.
Kenya’s youthful side, led by in-form striker Ryan Ogam and defensive stalwart Collins Sichenje, will aim to capitalize on their recent momentum. A win in Abidjan would not only end Ivory Coast’s unbeaten run but also underline Kenya’s growth under McCarthy’s leadership, marking a new era of confidence and ambition for the Harambee Stars.
