Former Kaizer Chiefs forward sees red as Benni McCarthy guides Kenya to victory

Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy secured a win in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers as Kenya beat Burundi 1-0 in a dead rubber in Bujumbura on Thursday.

With both teams out of the running for a World Cup ticket, regional supremacy, pride and FIFA ranking were at stake as the Harambee Stars visited Swallows at the newly-refurbished Intwari Stadium.

However, the hosts had the worst possible start as they had a man sent off after just five minutes when former Kaizer Chiefs striker Bonfils-Caleb Bimenyimana was shown a straight red card for a lunge into Polokwane City goalkeeper Brian Bwire who had to be stretchered off.

That left Kenya with numerical advantage so early in the game but McCarthy’s team did not utilise it until very late in the game.

Kenya left it late against Burundi

In the first half, there was no threat from either side with neither of the goalkeepers tested until after the break.

Burundi stopper Jonathan Nahimana would be the busier of the two goalkeepers after the interval as he was called into action to stop William Lenkupae, Michael Olunga and Adam Willinson’s efforts.

With his side struggling to break down Burundi, McCarthy made a number of changes with Poland-based Timothy Ouma coming on as well as striker Ryan Ogam, who recently signed for Austrian side Wolfsberger AC, and Real Sociedad’s Job Ochieng also introduced.

These changes added impetus to Kenya’s game as Harambee Stars started making inroads in the final third and the killer blow was unleashed 17 minutes from time.

Harambee Stars survive late pressure

A neat exchange of passes saw Ogam receive the ball on the edge of the box and the former Tusker FC striker unleashed a ferocious shot on his left foot which left Nahimana rooted to his spot as McCarthy’s men celebrated the breakthrough.

The Bafana legend would see his team hold on but they nearly conceded in injury time when Abedi Bigirimana headed low at the back post but Kenya’s goalkeeper Byrne Omondi was alert and kept out the effort in brilliant fashion.

Jean-Claude Girumugisha would get a chance just two minutes later but fired inches wide as Kenya held on to win their third game in nine World Cup qualifiers which moved them to third in Group F with 12 points, eight behind leaders Ivory Coast, and seven adrift of second-placed Gabon, who have their matches lined up on Friday.

Kenya will complete their World Cup qualifiers with a tough match away to Ivory Coast on Tuesday October 14.