Seychelles head coach Ralph Jean-Louis has declared that his team will not be easy prey when they face Kenya’s Harambee Stars in their FIFA World Cup qualifying encounter on Tuesday at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Despite suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat to Gabon in their last outing, Jean-Louis insisted that his squad has the resilience and tactical discipline to cause problems for Kenya. The coach emphasized that his players’ willingness to fight until the final whistle is proof of their commitment and steady development.
The Pirates were undone by Gabon’s Denis Bouanga, who netted a first-half hat-trick, with Yannis M’Bemba sealing the result with a late header. Yet, Jean-Louis was quick to underline the positives, highlighting his side’s ability to maintain character and composure even when trailing by several goals.
“My greatest satisfaction is that we continued to play with the same attitude until the last minute. The players showed great commitment by refusing to give up, even though the scoreline was against us,” he noted.
Looking ahead to the clash with Kenya, the Seychelles coach outlined the key tactical approach: retain possession, deny Harambee Stars time and space, and create chances in attack. Jean-Louis firmly believes that this game plan can unsettle Kenya, who are under pressure following a 3-1 loss at home to The Gambia.
For Kenya, the stakes are high. Head coach Benni McCarthy has already faced criticism for his selection choices, particularly the exclusion of local-based stars who impressed in the Chan tournament. Instead, his reliance on foreign-based players backfired against Gambia, with the team struggling to find cohesion.
Seychelles now see an opportunity to exploit that uncertainty. The island nation may be viewed as underdogs, but Jean-Louis insists his squad is determined to prove they are no pushovers.
Tuesday’s clash will test Kenya’s resolve as much as their talent, while Seychelles arrive with renewed hunger to silence critics and make a bold statement on the continental stage.
