Johnathan McKinstry talked about the upcoming match between Gambia and Harambee Stars. The World Cup qualifier happens on Thursday, March 20. Kenya plays Gabon afterward in Nairobi. McKinstry knows Kenya well from his time coaching Gor Mahia FC.
The current Group F rankings show Ivory Coast at the top with 10 points. Gabon holds second place with 9 points. Burundi sits third with 7 points. Kenya follows in fourth with 5 points. The Gambia trails behind in fifth with just 3 points.
Kenya has played four games with mixed results - they won once, tied twice, and lost once. The Gambia won a single match but lost three times. Neither team made it through to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Both squads need wins to keep any World Cup hopes alive.
McKinstry expects Kenya to play differently under their new coach. "If you had asked me six months ago, I would say we were expecting a Kenyan team that will settle on a low block, defend, and try to win off a corner or set-pieces," he said. McCarthy brings an attacking style from his South African coaching days with AmaZulu and Cape Town City.
McCarthy just started training his squad this week. Many players from overseas teams have yet to join practice. The team captain, Michael Olunga, should arrive next week with other international players. The match promises to test both teams as they fight to climb up from the bottom of Group F.
The current Group F rankings show Ivory Coast at the top with 10 points. Gabon holds second place with 9 points. Burundi sits third with 7 points. Kenya follows in fourth with 5 points. The Gambia trails behind in fifth with just 3 points.
Kenya has played four games with mixed results - they won once, tied twice, and lost once. The Gambia won a single match but lost three times. Neither team made it through to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Both squads need wins to keep any World Cup hopes alive.
McKinstry expects Kenya to play differently under their new coach. "If you had asked me six months ago, I would say we were expecting a Kenyan team that will settle on a low block, defend, and try to win off a corner or set-pieces," he said. McCarthy brings an attacking style from his South African coaching days with AmaZulu and Cape Town City.
McCarthy just started training his squad this week. Many players from overseas teams have yet to join practice. The team captain, Michael Olunga, should arrive next week with other international players. The match promises to test both teams as they fight to climb up from the bottom of Group F.
