Kenya's national football team, Harambee Stars, is set to face Guinea in Conakry on Thursday in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. Ryan Ogam, the team's star striker, has promised to lead an aggressive attack against the West Africans. Ogam's confidence is high after scoring a late equalizer against Eritrea in the team's previous match, earning a 1-1 draw and keeping Kenya level with Eritrea on one point in Group D.
The match against Guinea comes at a critical time for both teams, with Kenya seeking to build on their recent performance and Guinea looking to recover from a 2-1 defeat by South Africa in their opening Group D match. Coach Paulo Duarte of Guinea knows that another loss would make their task considerably harder. He questioned the composition of the group, which includes Kenya despite the hosts already being guaranteed a place at the 2027 AFCON finals.
Kenya's coach, Benni McCarthy, is using the qualifiers to test his squad against competitive opposition and prepare for the finals. The team's captain, Michael Olunga, is still unavailable due to injury, and Ogam is expected to lead the line again. Ogam's recent form has been impressive, with three minutes from time, he scored a crucial goal against Eritrea, salvaging a draw for his team.
Ogam's rise to prominence has been swift since his breakthrough at Tusker, where he scored 15 goals in 17 appearances. He has since moved to Austrian side Wolfsberger AC and joined Belgian club RFC Liège on loan. At the international level, he has made an impact during Kenya's recent CHAN campaign and the 2026 World Cup qualification series, scoring decisive goals against Morocco and Zambia.
The match against Guinea will be played at the 25,000-capacity Stade du 28 Septembre, where the home team will have the backing of their supporters. Coach Duarte has demanded a response from his players, acknowledging that another poor result would leave them chasing the group leaders from the outset. He has made his immediate objective clear, saying Guinea would "do everything to get a result against the Stars."
Ogam's movement and physical presence have given Kenya another attack option, while his performances have strengthened his role in McCarthy's plans. The 21-year-old's recent run of international goals has boosted his confidence, and he will look to make an impact against Guinea. The Kenyans, who were held by Eritrea in front of its own fans, will face a different challenge in Conakry.
The Harambee Stars will look to build on their recent performance and secure a positive result against Guinea. With Ogam leading the line, the team will aim to make a statement and keep their qualification hopes alive. The match against Guinea is expected to be a tough encounter, but Ogam and his teammates are determined to make a strong showing.
Key points
- Ryan Ogam is expected to lead the Harambee Stars' attack against Guinea.
- The match against Guinea is crucial for both teams' 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification hopes.
- Coach Paulo Duarte of Guinea is determined to ensure his team responds strongly after their setback against South Africa.
