Kenya has faced significant challenges in preparing for their clash against Ivory Coast, marked by late call-ups and players lacking necessary documents, which could prove costly in Tuesday’s match.
Harambee Stars’ Rocky Preparations
Ahead of their 2026 World Cup qualifier against Ivory Coast, Harambee Stars have not experienced optimal conditions. Coach Engin Firat has had to make numerous changes, with some players lacking the requisite documents and others being called up late, disrupting the initial plans.
Firat expressed frustration over administrative oversights that prevented him from fielding new call-ups Zak Vyner and Tobias Knost in Friday’s 1-1 draw against Burundi. Vyner eventually left camp on Sunday to return to the United Kingdom due to the failure to secure a Kenyan passport.
New Call-Ups Without Requisite Documents
“We have five or six players who are injured, but today, three players who were not injured also missed out due to some mistakes that were done,” a frustrated Firat said on Friday after the match. “We did all our tactical training with Zak Vyner. If Zak had been on the field today, we would have won. Sometimes people need to focus less on what’s happening on the field and more on doing their jobs properly. Things that seem simple can be very complex here in Kenya.”
Before leaving Kenya for Malawi, where the two matches are being played, Eric Johanne went missing from camp, necessitating the late call-up of AFC Leopards winger Clifton Miheso.
Several Late Call-Ups With Limited Training Time
Sofapaka right-back Baron Ochieng made a late dash to Lilongwe just before Friday’s match, and over the weekend, there were more late call-ups. The Kenya Police duo David Okoth and David ‘Cheche’ Ochieng, along with Malawi-based Clyde Senaji, were summoned to Lilongwe just a day before the crucial encounter.
This limited time for tactical integration makes it challenging to build an understanding with those who have been in camp for the last two weeks. Facing a team like Ivory Coast without proper preparation is far from ideal, and it seems Kenya might be setting themselves up for failure.
Ivory Coast: A Well-Oiled Machine
Ivory Coast tops Group F with a perfect record of nine points and would solidify their position with three more against Kenya. Few would bet against a win for Emerse Fae’s men, given their stellar performance.
They began their World Cup qualification with a 9-0 thrashing of Seychelles, followed by a 2-0 win against Gambia last November. They went on to lift the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil before securing a 1-0 win against Gabon last weekend. Their record stands at three matches played, three won, twelve goals scored, and none conceded.
Given the missteps in their preparation, can Firat’s men stand a chance against such a formidable opponent? Only time will tell.
