Onsika cautions Harambee stars about Burundi and Ivory Coast

Former Kenyan striker Elijah Onsika emphasizes the importance of discipline as the Harambee Stars prepare to face Burundi and Ivory Coast in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi.

The Harambee Stars aim to secure their elusive World Cup spot, beginning with a matchday three fixture against Burundi on Friday, June 7th, followed by a crucial clash with African champions Ivory Coast four days later.

Kenya, under the guidance of Turkish coach Engin Firat, started their Group F campaign with a 2-1 loss to Gabon, but bounced back with a resounding 5-0 victory over Seychelles in matchday two.

Harambee Stars must not underestimate Burundi

Onsika, who played for Kisumu Posta in the Kenyan Premier League during the late 1980s, insists that the Harambee Stars must approach their game against Burundi with utmost seriousness. He warns against underestimating the Swallows, noting that such complacency could derail Kenya’s efforts to win.

“I’ve heard many Kenyans saying it will be an easy match against Burundi, but that is not the case. I hope this doesn’t affect our players’ mindset because they might face a rude awakening,” Onsika told Flashcore.

“Burundi has the same number of points as Kenya (three each) in the group. They won a tough game against Gambia at home and narrowly lost to Gabon. So, you can’t assume it will be a walkover for Kenya. There are no underdogs in football anymore. Kenya must give their all against Burundi,” Onsika added.

Burundi’s opener saw them defeat the Scorpions 3-2, but they lost their second fixture 2-1 against Gabon.

“Many Burundi players are familiar with Kenyan football, having played or currently playing in the Kenyan league. They know our style, which is why Kenya must not take the game lightly. They must fight and treat it as a serious competition, not a friendly,” Onsika continued.

Burundi’s squad includes notable foreign-based players like Mohammed Amissi of Feyenoord in the Netherlands and Bienvenu Kanakimana of FK Jablonec in the Czech Republic. Other key players are goalkeeper Jonathan Nahimana, Shaban Hussein, Richard Kilongozi, and Elvis Kamsoba.

Strategy for Ivory Coast

Onsika, now the Technical Director for a top Kenyan University, outlines what Kenya needs to do to secure a win against Ivory Coast.

“They are the African champions. They had a tough AFCON tournament and almost faced elimination but came back to win it. They have something to prove,” said Onsika.

“Kenya must use a balanced defensive and attacking strategy to contain them. They need to stay disciplined, win the ball in midfield, attack when necessary, and avoid complacency.”

“It would be a mistake for Kenya to fear them, as that would give Ivory Coast an advantage. Kenya should enter the match with confidence, knowing they can win. Anything is possible in football. Kenya has shown great performance under Firat, beating Qatar and drawing with Russia in friendlies. So, why not beat Ivory Coast?” Onsika added.

With injuries to key defenders Joseph Okumu of Reims in the French Ligue 1 and Erick Ouma of Rakow Czestochowa in Poland, Onsika believes it’s time for Firat to give new players a chance. New additions to the squad include defender Tobias Knost of SC Verl in Germany and Zak Vyner of Bristol City.

“We don’t have our main players; Okumu is injured, Ouma is ruled out, and Masoud Juma, who scored in the last two games, is also injured. This gives Firat an opportunity to start the new players who bring experience and can quickly settle in to produce results,” said Onsika.

Playing in Malawi: An advantage for Kenya

Due to the lack of a CAF and FIFA-approved stadium in Kenya, their matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast will be played in Malawi. Onsika believes this situation still offers Kenya a home advantage since they recently played and won a Four-Nation tournament at Bingu Stadium.

“Although I would prefer them to play here, we understand the need to play in Malawi. Kenya still has the home advantage because they recently played and won a trophy there. This should give them confidence. They should feel at home and not isolated,” explained Onsika.

Before departing for Malawi, Firat explained why the location was chosen: “We chose Malawi because we know the place, and the players have adapted to it. The people there are supportive, and we have good relationships with the local football community.”

Firat added, “People need to understand that playing home games away has always been tough for Kenyan teams. We’ve built a strong team that can handle this situation. There is nothing more to say about it.”

Live football scores delivered to you.

Kenya’s performance against Burundi in previous meetings

Kenya heads into the fixture with a better record against Burundi, having met six times in all competitions. Kenya has two wins, three draws, and one loss. Their first meeting was in 2007, with Burundi winning 1-0 in Tanzania. Kenya secured their first win in 2009 with a 1-0 victory in Uganda. Subsequent matches in 2013, 2015, and 2017 ended in draws or narrow victories for Kenya.

According to Onsika, Harambee Stars should aim for at least four points from the two matches to stay on course for qualification.

“These matches will be tough, but Kenya needs to aim for at least four points. It’s achievable, and they should set their sights on bringing home six points if possible,” concluded Onsika.

Currently, Kenya sits third in the six-team table with three points, three behind leaders Ivory Coast. Gabon is second with six points, while Burundi is fourth with three. Gambia and Seychelles have yet to earn any points.

Key Points:

Elijah Onsika emphasizes discipline as key for Harambee Stars against Burundi and Ivory Coast.
Kenya aims for their first World Cup appearance, starting with matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast in Malawi.
Under coach Engin Firat, Kenya started their campaign with a loss to Gabon and a win over Seychelles.
Onsika warns against underestimating Burundi, noting their familiarity with Kenyan football and strong squad.
Onsika outlines a balanced strategy for facing Ivory Coast, emphasizing confidence and discipline.
Key injuries provide opportunities for new players like Tobias Knost and Zak Vyner.
Playing in Malawi offers a home advantage due to recent successful matches there.
Historical performance against Burundi favors Kenya, with two wins, three draws, and one loss.
Onsika believes Kenya should aim for at least four points from the two matches to stay on course for qualification.
Kenya is currently third in the group, behind Ivory Coast and Gabon, with Burundi close behind.