World Cup Qualifier: Substitute Ryan Ogam steers Kenya past 10-man Burundi

Ryan Ogam celebrates after scoring for Kenya against Burundi
Ryan Ogam celebrates after scoring for Kenya against BurundiFKF Media.

Kenya national team striker Ryan Ogam came off the bench to score the decisive goal as Harambee Stars defeated Burundi 1-0 in their second last fixture of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier dubbed ‘East African derby’ at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium on Thursday.

After their slim chances of qualifying for first-ever World Cup went up in smoke following the 3-1 home defeat against Gambia in matchday seven, Harambee Stars went into the fixture against the Swallows looking to finish their qualification journey on a positive note.

Kenya coach Benni McCarthy preferred goalkeeper Brian Bwire ahead of first choice Byrne Omondi, while the defence line revolved around Rooney Onyango, Collins Sichenje, Sylvester Owino, and England-based Vincent Harper, who was handed his debut.

In the midfield, the South African legend trusted Austin Odhiambo, who was making a comeback after being dropped for the previous qualifiers, alongside Suleiman Okwaro. Adam Wilson, David Abuya, and William Lenkupae Wilson played slightly ahead of the duo with captain Michael Olunga leading the attacking role.

Burundi’s Bimenyimana sent off with straight red

With only seven minutes played, Burundi suffered a blow when their defender Bonfils Bimenyimana was shown a straight red card following a foul on Bwire. After being attended to by the medics, the Kenyan custodian was not able to continue, forcing McCarthy to replace him with Bryne Omondi.

Kenya tried to capitalise on the numerical advantage, but the Swallows, who were spurred on by a sizeable crowd, continued to press the visitors. In the 16th minute, Harper committed a clumsy foul on the advancing Henry Msanga, and he was booked for the offence, the first yellow card of the game.

The second yellow arrived in the 28th minute, Kenya’s Suleiman going into the referees’ book after fouling striker Vancy Roméo Mabanza, who had proved to be a threat with his superb runs from the right side.

Even with 10 men, Burundi continued to attack Kenya, who looked second best, but they struggled to make their dominance count when reaching the final third. Despite six minutes of added time, Kenya were not able to take advantage of Burundi’s situation as the two sides headed into the half-time break tied at 0-0.

Kenya returned strong in the second half

At the start of the second period, McCarthy made a tactical change, bringing in striker Timothy Ouma, who plays for Ekstraklasa club Lech Poznań, on loan from Slavia Prague, for Harper, allowing Okwaro to drop to the defensive role.

Ryan Ogam found the back of the net with a left-footed effort
Ryan Ogam found the back of the net with a left-footed effortFKF Media.

Burundi remained the strongest side pushing to break the deadlock. In the 53rd minute, Burundi had a great opportunity from a free-kick just outside the Kenya's danger zone, but FC Schifflange 95 forward Mabanza watched helplessly after his right-footed effort went over the bar.

Just after the missed opportunity, Kenya almost grabbed the opener when Odhiambo released Abuya in the right side of play, but the Young Africans (Yanga SC) of Tanzania midfielder, hit his effort off the target despite being in a position to score.

Kenya started to control the game, but Ouma, who was looking lively since coming on, saw his superb volley destined to the net saved by Jonathan Nahimana, who stretched his hands to punch it out for a corner.

Burundi responded with a great chance of their own, when Christophe Nduwarugira stepped into the box and found enough space to unleash a powerful effort, which took a deflection off a Kenyan defender before Omondi slapped it away with his fingers for the home side’s third corner of the game.

However, striker Ryan Ogam, who had just replaced Abuya, made an immediate impact for Kenya when he scored in the 73rd minute. A move initiated by Ouma found Ogam, and despite being tightly marked, the Wolfsberger AC youngster dribbled past two defenders before curling in a left-footed shot into the right top corner past the stranded Nahimana.

Kenya will wrap up their campaign against African champions Ivory Coast on Tuesday, October 14th, at Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium.

Check out the match summary here.

Dennis Mabuka
Dennis MabukaFlashscore