Harambee Stars produced a commanding performance to defeat Grenada national football team 3-0 in the third-place playoff of the FIFA Series, ending their campaign in Kigali on a high note.
Strong Response After Estonia Heartbreak
Heading into the match at Stade Amahoro in Kigali, Kenya were determined to bounce back from a painful semi-final exit, where they drew 1-1 with Estonia before losing 5-4 on penalties.
Head coach Benni McCarthy had openly stated his side was targeting victory in the playoff, emphasizing the need to restore confidence after a difficult run of results.
Kenya’s Quality Shines Through
The Stars dominated proceedings against a Grenada side ranked significantly lower in FIFA standings, underlining the gulf in quality that had been anticipated pre-match.
Kenya’s attacking trio delivered in style:
Austin Odhiambo opened the scoring
Ryan Ogam doubled the lead, continuing his rise as a key attacking threat
Zech Obiero sealed the victory with a third goal
The performance reflected a much-improved cutting edge in front of goal, an area that had cost the team in the previous match against Estonia.
Tactical Adjustments Pay Off
McCarthy made several changes to his lineup, rotating the squad to assess depth and give opportunities to fringe players. The adjustments paid dividends as Kenya looked more fluid in attack and composed defensively.
The absence of injured winger Job Ochieng did little to disrupt the team’s rhythm, with midfield creativity and forward movement proving decisive.
Ending the Tournament on a High
The victory not only secured third place in the invitational tournament but also ended a worrying winless streak for Kenya, offering a timely morale boost as the team builds towards future competitive fixtures.
For Harambee Stars, the Kigali outing provided valuable lessons—highlighting both their attacking potential and the need for consistency, while reinforcing belief under McCarthy’s leadership.
Match Summary:
- Venue: Stade Amahoro, Kigali
- Result: Kenya 3-0 Grenada
- Scorers: Odhiambo, Ogam, Obiero
Kenya now shifts focus to upcoming international assignments with renewed confidence after a convincing finish in Rwanda.
