Firat believes Stars have what it takes to beat Burundi and Ivory Coast

Harambee Stars' head coach Engin Firat believes his charges can secure maximum points in their 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast. 

The Kenyan lads will return to action in their Burundi crunch Group F encounters against the Sparrows on June 7 before facing the reigning Africa Cup of Nations winners on June 11.

Both matches will be staged in Lilongwe, Malawi, owing to a lack of Fifa-approved stadia in the country.

Firat allayed fears that playing away from home would disadvantage his charges, adding that they had registered a string of impressive results on foreign soil.

“I don't view that as a challenge because we have played most of our recent matches away from home and won a good number. I don't see why anyone should doubt our capacity to win away matches because we've done so before," he added.

Firat said he intends to beef up the squad with players who have exhibited exceptional exploits on the local stage.

“I have a good number of players on my radar and I intend to incorporate them into the team in the coming days," Firat remarked.

Firat refuted claims he had snubbed experienced captain Michael Olunga, midfielder Richard Odada and defender Daniel Anyembe.

"Olunga, Odada, and Anyembe are all in my immediate plans for the team. They will all link up with us in Malawi because they are all currently engaged in league matches with their respective clubs,” Firat said.

“The list released by FKF on Monday was provisional and we intend to provide a complete one in the coming days,” he added.

Firat lavished praise on Olunga, who has come under intense criticism, owing to what many fans describe as a drastic dip in his performance.

The Al Duhail striker had endured an agonising goal drought before his brace in Kenya's 5-0 thrashing of Seychelles in the second round of qualifiers played late last year.

“I've always made it clear that Olunga is in a class of his own and it would be a great disservice to the country to exclude him from the ongoing campaign," Firat stated.

Kenya currently sits third out of six in Group F of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, having picked up three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles.

Only the top team in the group, which comprises Ivory Coast, Gabon, Burundi, The Gambia, Seychelles and Kenya, will qualify for the 48-team World Cup, which will be played across 16 cities in Canada, Mexico and the United States.

Four of the best runners-up from the nine groups will also get a lifeline in a playoff that will determine CAF’s representative in the Inter-confederation playoffs involving six teams, which will decide the last two FIFA World Cup berths.

Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Odhiambo (Bandari), Boniphas Munyasa (Muranga Seal), Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia); Defenders: Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal), Alphonse Omija (Dhofar-Oman), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Brian Okoth (Kenya Police), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Tobias Knost (SV Verl, Germany); Midfielders: John Ochieng (Zanaco, Zambia), Eric Johanna (UTA, Romania), Adam Wilson (Bradford City, England), Anthony Akumu (Unattached), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Kaycie Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chrispin Erambo (Tusker), Rooney Onyango (Gor), Ayub Timbe (Sabail, Azeberijan), Duke Abuya (IHEFU, Tanzania), Bruce Kamau (Perth Glory, Australia); Forwards: John Avire (El Sekka El Hadid SC), Egypt), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia) and  Elvis Rupia (IHEFU, Tanzania)