Harambee Stars’ World Cup dream ended with a painful 3-1 defeat to Gambia at Kasarani Stadium. The result not only sealed their elimination from the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers but also sparked heated debate about the direction of Kenyan football.
The loss was especially bitter given Kenya’s spirited run at the recent CHAN tournament, where a locally based squad fought their way to the quarter-finals. Many supporters questioned why those same players were sidelined in favor of foreign-based stars who failed to click.
Only Abud Omar, Sylvester Owino, and goalkeeper Bryne Omondi were retained from the CHAN team. The rest of the starting XI leaned heavily on overseas players, but the gamble backfired. Richard Odada and Timothy Ouma started brightly but faded before halftime, forcing the coach to introduce CHAN standouts Manzur Okwaro and Alpha Onyango. Their impact was immediate, raising doubts about why they were benched in the first place.
Gambia punished Kenya’s defensive errors ruthlessly. Sheriff Sinyan opened the scoring with a header in the 12th minute before Yankuba Minteh pounced on a mistake to double the lead. By halftime, Musa Barrow had volleyed in a third goal, leaving Harambee Stars reeling.
Kenya had chances to respond through William Lenkupae and captain Michael Olunga, but the finishing touch was missing. Substitute Ryan Ogam finally found the net in the 81st minute, yet it was far too late to mount a real comeback.
Off the pitch, frustration grew louder. Fans questioned the reliance on foreign-based players, with many arguing that local talent had proven itself more disciplined and effective in recent outings. Some called for a long-term rebuilding project focused on homegrown players rather than quick fixes.
While the World Cup door has closed, focus now shifts to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. The qualifiers will serve as a testing ground for Kenya’s young squad, with the hope that lessons from this painful defeat guide future decisions. The challenge for the coaching staff lies in finding balance between local consistency and the experience of foreign-based stars.
The Kasarani loss will sting for a while, but it could also mark the start of a new era if the right lessons are learned and applied. Kenya’s football future may well depend on it.
