Former AFC Leopards midfielder Charles Okwemba has expressed confidence that Harambee Stars have what it takes to match Group F leaders Ivory Coast in their highly anticipated World Cup qualifier set for Tuesday night.
Okwemba echoed sentiments from head coach Benni McCarthy, who boldly declared that Kenya will not fear any opponent, even as the team’s qualification hopes hinge on the outcome of this decisive fixture.
“It’s absolutely right for McCarthy to say we don’t fear any team. In modern football, once you step onto that pitch, any team can produce results against any opponent,” Okwemba said. “The players draw strength from their coach’s belief, and his confidence will inspire them to give everything against the African champions.”
Ivory Coast currently sit atop Group F with 23 points, just one ahead of Gabon, and are fully aware that a slip-up could prove costly. Kenya, on the other hand, have climbed to third place after defeating Burundi 1-0 last week — their second consecutive win in the qualifiers.
Okwemba acknowledged that the upcoming match will be Kenya’s toughest test yet, with The Elephants desperate to secure their ticket to the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the USA.
The last encounter between the two sides ended in a 0-0 draw in June 2024 at Bingu National Stadium in Malawi, where Kenya hosted the game due to unavailability of CAF-approved venues at home.
Meanwhile, across the continent, Cape Verde made history by qualifying for the World Cup for the first time. The island nation sealed their spot after a 3-0 win over Eswatini, sparking massive celebrations in the capital, Praia.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the achievement as a “historic moment” that would inspire a new generation of football fans. With a population of just 550,000, Cape Verde becomes the smallest African nation ever to qualify for the global showpiece and the second least populous worldwide after Iceland.
Head coach Pedro “Bubista” Brito dedicated the victory to the nation’s people, calling it “a victory for all Cape Verdeans.”
Cape Verde now joins Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Ghana, who have already secured their spots. Three more African teams will be confirmed after the final round of qualifiers on Tuesday.
