Kenya’s Harambee Stars will look to pick up valuable points in their quest to qualify for the 2026 World Cup when they host Cote D’Ivoire  at the Bingu National Stadium on Tuesday.

The home side will hope to be the first team to dent the visitors’ perfect record in this World Cup qualifying campaign.

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Kenya were unable to extend their winning run, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Burundi at the Bingu National Stadium on Friday.

After a cagey first half, the Harambee Stars finally took the lead in the 72nd minute through Duke Abuya . However, they could not hold on for the win, as Sudi Abdallah   capitalised on a defensive error to equalise for the visitors.

Engin Firat’s men were left disappointed as they were the stronger of the two sides. With four points from three matches, Kenya remain third in Group F, five points behind group leaders and next opponents, Ivory Coast.

The East Africans failed to score more than once in a game for the first time in 2024 after squandering a number of chances. Firat will hope his side can rediscover their scoring touch, as this lack of finishing is more likely to be punished against a more dangerous opponent.

This will be the first-ever meeting between Kenya and Tuesday’s opponents, and they will be heading into this fixture as the underdogs.

Ivory Coast maintained their perfect start to the World Cup qualifiers after securing a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Gabon at the Amadou Gon Coulibaly Stadium on Friday.

Seko Fofana’s first-half goal was the difference, as the Elephants made it three wins from three games to record nine points and remain top of the group.

The win was Emerse Fae’s  first competitive match after the Africa Cup of Nations triumph and he remains unbeaten after seven matches as coach.

The West Africans are the highest-scoring side in the CAF zone of the World Cup qualifiers and they are one of two teams – alongside Tunisia – to have won all three matches without conceding a goal.

Team News

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Firat handed a debut to IF Elfsborg forward Timothy Ouma   against Burundi, while Clifton Miheso  also made a return to the XI after a long time out.

However, Miheso could be dropped to the bench on Tuesday after Abuya, who came on for him, found the net in his cameo.

Daniel Anyembe is expected to remain in central defence alongside Johnstone Omurwa  , as Bristol City defender Zak Vyner   was not listed last time out.

Borussia Dortmund’s Sebastien Haller , is expected to lead the attack for Ivory Coast once again alongside Reims’s Oumar Diakite .

A back three of Evan Ndicka,Emmanuel Agbadou and Odilon Kossounou  is expected once again.

Kenya possible starting lineup:
Matasi; Omar, Anyembe, Omurwa, Onyango; Akumu, Odada; Ouma, Muguna, Abuya; Olunga

Ivory Coast possible starting lineup:
Fofana; Ndicka, Agbadou, Kossounou; Singo, Fofana, Seri, Kessie, Konan; Diakite, Haller, Adingra

Collins Okinyo

Ex- CAF Media Expert. An expert on African football with over 15 years experience ,always with an ear to the ground with indepth knowledge of the game. I have worked for top publications including 7 years at www.supersport.com until i founded www.soka25east.com to quench the thirst of football lovers across the continent. I have trained young upcoming journalists who are now a voice in African football.I have covered World Cup,AFCON,CHAN,Champions League,Confederations Cup,Cecafa,Cosafa,Wafu and many other football tournaments across the World. Founder Football Africa Arena(FAA),Founder www.afrisportdigital.com