~ Halftime solid defense performance
~ Frustrating equalizer
~ Post match interview
~ Disappointing home result
~ #UgSportsNow
Kenya national football team, the Harambee Stars, faced a challenging encounter in their recent 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier match against Burundi. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, with both teams showcasing their determination and skill on the field. However, it was the officiating decisions that left a bitter taste in the mouths of Kenya and their head coach, Engin Firat.
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Halftime solid defense performance deadlock breaker
The Harambee Stars started the match against Burundi with a solid defensive performance, managing to keep a clean sheet in the first half. As the game progressed, the tension grew, and both teams were eager to break the deadlock. Kenya’s moment came in the 72nd minute when the substitute Duke Abuya capitalized on a well-timed cross from Austin Odhiambo to put his team in the lead.
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The goal sparked celebrations among the Kenyan players and fans, as they hoped to secure a crucial victory in their World Cup qualifying campaign. However, their joy was short-lived as Burundi managed to equalize in the 85th minute, with Abdallah Sudi finding the back of the net to level the score.
Frustrating equalizer
It was after this equalizing goal that frustrations started to surface, with Kenya’s head coach, Engin Firat, expressing his disappointment with the officiating during the match. Firat believed that certain decisions made by the referees had a significant impact on the outcome of the game and felt that his team had been hard done by.
Post match interview
Speaking during the post-match interview, Firat said: “The first 15 minutes, we didn’t start like I wanted. Afterwards, we started our passing game and created goal chances. I cannot say I’m happy with the referee because they did everything to stop the game. Every ball, every free kick against us, every set piece took two or three minutes to restart.
“It was not possible to maintain any tempo in this game. In the second half, we pushed more. We scored in the end, but we should have scored earlier. It’s a problem if you don’t score the second goal because this kind of crazy goal can happen.”
This is not the first time that officiating decisions have come under scrutiny in international football matches, and it highlights the importance of fair and consistent refereeing in the sport. In a game as competitive as football, where every goal and decision can make a difference, the role of referees in ensuring a level playing field is crucial.
Disappointing home result
Despite the disappointment of not securing a win against Burundi, the Harambee Stars can take positives from their performance and use it as motivation for future matches. The World Cup qualifying campaign is a challenging journey, but with determination and perseverance, Kenya can continue to strive for success on the international stage.
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As the team regroups and prepares for their upcoming fixtures, they will look to put the frustrations of the Burundi match behind them and focus on their next opportunities to showcase their talent and passion for the game. The road to the FIFA World Cup is long and arduous, but with unity and resilience, the Harambee Stars can continue to chase their dreams of representing Kenya on the global stage.
