‘Football is Not Played on Paper’ - Benni McCarthy Sends Strong Message to Ivory Coast Ahead of World Cup Qualifier

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has told his players to crash Ivory Coast’s World Cup qualification party when the two teams clash next week.

Kenya will face Burundi on Thursday before taking on Ivory Coast next Tuesday and the African champions will need to win the match to secure an automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup.

It means Harambee Stars have their work cut out as both matches will be away but while he recognises that Kenya are the underdogs, he still hopes to pull off an upset.

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“We know what is at stake and we know we are going into the lion’s den because for Ivory Coast, a win will secure them automatic qualification but we are not here to do favours for anyone,” McCarthy told the media. “We are going there to play a match and win and get three points.”

“If we have to lose, it has to be against a team where we know we have no possibilities of winning the game, that our opponents were better than us, so they have to earn it.”

McCarthy says Ivory Coast’s pedigree should not scare his team as it would be a grave mistake to roll over and allow them to have a field day and is instead looking to see an impressive display from his charges.

“Just because we play Ivory Coast we do not have to lose our dignity because they are the African champions or one of the best in Africa,” he added.

“It does not work like that, football is not played on paper, it is played on the pitch, so we are going out there to play the best football we possibly can, and hopefully to win and I am sure they come with the same mindset.”

Harambee Stars played out a goalless draw with Ivory Coast when the two teams last met in June 2024, that coming after a 1-1 draw with Burundi, when they went ahead first before conceding a late equaliser.

Ahead of the match against Burundi, who will be playing at home in Bujumbura after hosting their home ties away, McCarthy is only interested in a great performance and not revenge for the dropped points last time out.

“An opportunity for the boys to flex their muscle and legs and showcase where we are as a national team now. We have improved so much now since the last time we played Burundi,” he added.

Harambee Stars are out of the running for a place at the 2026 World Cup but positive results in the two away matches will be a boost to their FIFA rankings.