Seychelles vs Kenya: No excuses for Firat as Harambee Stars face African minnows in must-win tie

Harambee Stars have their work cut out as they take on Seychelles in their second 2026 World Cup qualifier at the Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire on Monday.

Team form

Engin Firat’s men suffered a 2-1 defeat to Gabon in their opening match on Thursday when they scored first but failed to hold onto their lead, allowing the Panthers to dominate the second half and score two goals to secure maximum points.

They therefore head into Monday’s match facing a must-win situation if they have to stay in touch with the rest of their Group F opponents since Cote d’Ivoire, Burundi and Gabon already have three points from their wins on matchday one.

It is the meeting of the group minnows as Seychelles suffered the heaviest defeat so far in the qualifiers when they were thrashed 9-0 by the Ivorians on Friday, a win that might have given Firat and his charges some encouragement.

Firat’s poor record

Firat claimed they had been ‘unlucky’ in Franceville while calling for fans to give them time as they are still ‘young and learning’ but Kenyans will lose all patience with him if his team cannot secure maximum points against the island nation.

The tactician has managed 10 games in his two stints with Kenya, securing just two wins, as many draws with six ending in defeat.

With Kenya ranked position 110 which is 85 places above their opponents, there will be no excuses if they cannot secure victory.

Head-to-head record

Harambee Stars are undefeated in five meetings against Seychelles, having won four while one match ended in a draw.

The two teams last met in March 2015 when Kenya won 2-0 in an international friendly. They also faced off twice in November 2011 when Kenya won 3-0 away before claiming a 4-0 victory at home in a World Cup qualifier.

Those results were preceded by a 2-1 victory for Kenya in a CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup in November 1992 followed by a goalless draw and 1-0 win for Harambee Stars in friendly matches in June 1998.

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