Burundi thrash Seychelles to further dash Harambee Stars’ slim World Cup qualification hopes

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy. @FKF Media

Burundi thrash Seychelles to further dash Harambee Stars’ slim World Cup qualification hopes

Joel Omotto 14:53 - 26.03.2025

Burundi’s victory over Seychelles has further killed off any slim hopes that Harambee Stars had of getting at least a playoff place in the World Cup qualifiers.

Harambee Stars’ loss to Gabon left them in a precarious situation as far as their 2026 World Cup qualification is concerned.

Benni McCarthy’s team find themselves with just six points from as many matches, 10 behind Group F leaders Ivory Coast and nine behind second-placed Gabon.

Kenya drew 3-3 away to The Gambia last Thursday before a 2-1 home loss to Gabon on Sunday.

Their task has now been made more difficult after Burundi beat Seychelles 3-0 on Tuesday to move four points ahead of them.

Ivory Coast, with 16 points, and Gabon with 15, look like they will be vying for top spot that guarantees a direct ticket but Burundi have now given themselves a chance to fight for second place, which comes with an opportunity to qualify for the World Cup through the playoff.

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Burundi, in third place in Group F with 10 points, are five behind second place, and while it is still a tough task, they have some glimmer of hope compared to Kenya, who have six points.

With four games to go, Burundi have 12 points to fight for, which can take their tally to a maximum of 22 points, unlike Kenya who can only get 18, if they win all their matches.

The Burundians next play Ivory Coast in September before playing away to The Gambia and complete with matches against Kenya and Gabon in October.

They are not easy fixtures for Burundi but mathematically they are still in contention unlike their East African colleagues.