National team Harambee Stars take on their Burundian counterparts from 4 PM East African time Thursday at the Inturi Stadium as they battle to collect three points in their Group F 2026 World Cup qualifier in Bujumbura.
The clash pits Burundi with 10 points against a Harambee Stars side that has only managed 9 points on their part in what is ultimately a dead rubber match considering how the group has turned out. Picking up 10 points from eight games (W3, D1, L4) might not be the most impressive return, but Burundi could be considered victims of the dominance of Group F’s top two.
That tally would have kept them in contention for second place in most other groups, yet Ivory Coast’s 20 points and Gabon’s 19 leave Intamba with nothing but pride to play for on Thursday after a frustrating September.
Burundi, who had claimed victory in one match of each of their previous three World Cup qualifying double headers, endured consecutive defeats last month.
A 1-0 loss to Ivory Coast and a 2-0 reverse against Gambia four days later brought an end to hopes of a maiden World Cup appearance for Patrick Sangwa’s men, who also failed to find the net in successive qualifiers for the first time in this campaign.
Nevertheless, the Swallows have looked lively in attack throughout the qualifiers, netting 13 goals – eight of which came against the group’s whipping boys, Seychelles – though conceding 10 at the other end reflects defensive vulnerability.
With two wins and as many defeats from four home outings, Intamba have been decent on their own patch and will fancy their chances against a Kenyan side they beat the only time Burundi have hosted them.
Indeed, the visitors suffered a 1-0 defeat at this same ground in the African Nations Championship qualifiers back in 2012 – their first competitive meeting – while the next four encounters all ended level after normal time.
That said, the Harambee Stars approach this fixture with renewed confidence, even if their 5-0 thrashing of bottom-placed Seychelles counted for little more than consolation after a 3-1 home loss to Gambia ended their World Cup hopes.
That result snapped a four-game winless run in the qualifiers, which included stalemates against Burundi (1-1), Ivory Coast (0-0) and Gambia, before a 2-1 reverse to Gabon, who recorded a similar victory in the opening fixture.
Kenya have also impressed going forward, though 10 of their 17 goals in the campaign came against Seychelles, while their defence has been equally inconsistent with 13 shipped – setting up a contest where both sides could find the net given Burundi’s tendency to score and concede freely.