‘They wanted to break my players’ legs’ – McCarthy blasts Burundi after Kenya’s hard-fought World Cup qualifying win

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has accused Burundi of deliberately trying to injure his players during Thursday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium in Bujumbura.

The tense Group F clash, dubbed the “East African derby,” ended 1-0 in favour of the Harambee Stars, but McCarthy said the victory came at a physical cost.

The match saw goalkeeper Brian Bwire forced off early after sustaining a deep cut above his eye while challenging for a high ball.

He was replaced by Bryne Omondi, and Kenya went on to secure victory through substitute Ryan Ogam, who struck a sublime 73rd-minute goal after a clever pass from captain Michael Olunga.

McCarthy, however, reserved his strongest comments for Burundi’s aggressive style of play and the poor condition of the pitch, which he said made it impossible for his players to perform at their best.

“It was a very tough match, especially because of the conditions. We’re not used to playing on such a poor surface,” McCarthy told reporters.

“When you lose your goalkeeper to a serious injury early on, it affects the whole team.

“It became dangerous because Burundi’s players were going into challenges recklessly. I feel they wanted to break my players’ legs.”

The South African legend insisted his team showed restraint despite Burundi’s rough tactics. “We could have been more aggressive, but we chose to respect the game. Burundi were overly physical and got away with a lot of things, but justice was served because the better team won.”

McCarthy also praised his side for their resilience and discipline under pressure. “I’m very proud of my players. We showed character, determination, and respect. We didn’t receive the same from them, but we still played the right way and earned a fantastic victory,” he added.

Captain Olunga echoed his coach’s sentiments, saying Kenya’s focus and composure proved decisive. “We knew it would be physical, but we stayed calm and stuck to our plan. It wasn’t an enjoyable match, but the three points are what mattered most,” he said.

Kenya will conclude their Group F campaign against Ivory Coast on Tuesday in Abidjan.