2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Kenya will not do Ivory Coast any favour – Benni McCarthy

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has sounded a note of caution to Ivory Coast ahead of their decisive clash in the final phase of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Harambee Stars, led by the South African tactician, will wrap up their Group F campaign with fixtures against Burundi and Côte d’Ivoire.

Although Kenya are already out of the race for a World Cup spot in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, McCarthy insists his side remains motivated to finish the qualifiers on a positive note.

After eight matches, Kenya have managed two wins, three draws, and three defeats. Since McCarthy took charge in March, the team has recorded only one victory in the campaign.

Despite their underwhelming record, the former Bafana Bafana striker maintains that his players are ready to fight to the end — and warned the group leaders, Côte d’Ivoire, that Kenya will not roll over easily.

“We know what is at stake, we are going into the lion’s den because for Cote d’Ivoire, a win will secure automatic qualification, but we are not here to do favours for anyone,” McCarthy said, according to The Star.

“We are going there to win and take three points. Football isn’t played on paper; it’s played on the pitch.

“We will play the best football we can, and hopefully, we will win. They will come with the same mindset, but that’s what competition is about,” he added.

“If we have to lose, it must be to a team that has truly outplayed us. They have to earn it.”

Kenya face Burundi on Friday, before rounding off their campaign against the reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, Côte d’Ivoire, four days later.