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FKF boss Hussein Mohammed backs Harambee Stars despite Estonia loss
28th March, 2026 07:10 AM
Football Kenya Federation President, Hussein Mohammed, has reacted to the national team’s first outing performance at the ongoing 2026 FIFA Series in Kigali, Rwanda.
Harambee Stars were relegated to the third-place play-off courtesy of a 5-4 defeat in post-match penalties at the hands of low-ranked Estonia in the opening match of the tournament at Amahoro Stadium on Friday night, March 27, 2026.
Despite the disappointing outcome, the FKF chief expressed confidence in Benni McCarthy’s men. ”That was a good display from the Harambee Stars, let’s now shift our focus to the third-place playoff,” Mohammed took to Facebook.
Despite being ranked higher than their European opponents, the Stars were held to a 1-1 draw in normal time, with Ryan Ogam finding the net in the second half to cancel out Estonia’s opener.
The match was ultimately decided from the spot, where Kenya fell short. Stand-in skipper Richard Odada missed the decisive penalty, allowing Estonia to progress to Sunday’s final.
Estonia started the game strongly and took control early on, breaking the deadlock in the 20th minute when Tammik beat goalkeeper Ian Otieno with a well-placed header. Kenya’s challenges were compounded midway through the first half after Job Ochieng was forced off due to injury.
For much of the opening period, Estonia moved the ball with ease, cutting through Kenya’s midfield and defence, while Kenya struggled to create clear chances, only testing the goalkeeper on a few occasions.
Ogam levels
After the break, Harambee Stars showed renewed determination and were rewarded when Ogam calmly slotted home after being set up by debutant Zech Obiero.
Kenya came close to taking the lead soon after, but Lawrence Ouma failed to hit the target from a promising counterattack. Another late opportunity also went begging when a dangerous cross narrowly missed Mohammed Bajaber.
Post-match penalties
With neither side able to find a winner in regulation time, the match proceeded to penalties. Austine Odhiambo converted Kenya’s opening spot-kick, but Bajaber’s miss allowed Estonia to stay level. Although Chrispine Erambo and Ben Stanley scored to keep Kenya in contention, Odada’s failed attempt proved decisive, ending Kenya’s hopes of reaching the final.
The defeat also brought an end to coach Benni McCarthy’s three-match unbeaten streak in friendly games, adding to previous losses against Senegal and Equatorial Guinea.
Harambee Stars will now shift focus to the third-place playoff, where they are set to face Grenada on Monday, March 30, 2026.
