Kenya vs Burundi: Preview, Team News, Kick Off Time & Everything You Need to Know

The men’s national football team, Harambee Stars, will be hoping for positive tidings when they face Burundi in their third Group F 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers set to be played at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi on Friday evening.

Kenya currently sits third out of six teams in the group having picked up three points from the opening two matches against Gabon and Seychelles (W1 L1).

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

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Four of the best runners-up from the nine groups will then 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.

As a result, Kenya, who are in position 107 in the latest FIFA rankings, will be bidding to use their advantage to get three crucial points against a Burundi side that is in position 140 and also has three points in the pool.

Kenya will be playing the home match in foreign territory because of lack of an approved stadium in the country.

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What they said

Kenya are set to face reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions Ivory Coast just four days after the Burundi match, but Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has urged the team to wipe away all thoughts of the other match and to pay their attention to Burundi.

“Everybody is talking about Ivory Coast and underrating Burundi which has the same style of play like us and is a strong opponent. We should tackle them with a lot of respect. We were well received in Malawi and our training has also been good,” Olunga said.

Team News

Head coach Engin Firat has some tough problems to face with the Harambee Stars having been hit with several injuries to key players.

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Firat will not have key members of the team including Erick “Marcelo” Ouma, Joseph Okumu, Ayub Timbe and Masoud Juma who will miss through injury while Eric Johana was omitted from the squad due to indiscipline issues.

Bristol City defender Zak Vyner could be in line for his debut with Omurwa and Sichenje also pushing for a start in defense with Kenya Police’s Abud Omar facing little competition in the left back position.

Austin Odhiambo, who has had one of the standout performances in the 23/24 league campaign is expected to form part of the team’s attacking threat in what could also be his debut game.

Kick Off Time

The game is slated to kick off at 1600EAT at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.

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Current Form

Harambee Stars have won their last three matches in all competitions and will be hoping they can continue that run on Friday.

In the World Cup qualifiers, they won one and lost one match out of the two so far played.

Burundi have not won any game in their last four matches (D1 L3).

In H2H records, Kenya have the upper hand as they have won twice compared to Burundi’s single win. The other two matches ended as draws.

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Full Squad

Goalkeepers

Ian Otieno, Byrne Omondi, Patrick Matasi

Defenders

Johnstone Omurwa, Collins Sichenje, Zak Vyner, Alphonce Omija, Abud Omar, Daniel Anyembe, Tobias Knost, Baron Ochieng

Midfielders

John Ochieng, Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, Chrispine Erambo, Timothy Ouma, Duke Abuya, Kenneth Muguna, Austin Odhiambo, Ronney Onyango, Clifton Miheso

Forwards

John Avire, Benson Omalla, Michael Olunga

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