Gambia faces Kenya in a World Cup qualifying match on March 20th, with both teams looking to improve their standings. Kenya’s coach Benni McCarthy is expected to implement a more offensive strategy. Gambia’s coach McKinstry emphasizes the importance of adapting to this new approach while also preparing for their subsequent match against Ivory Coast.
The upcoming World Cup qualifying match between Gambia and Kenya will occur on March 20th at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast, marking matchday five for both teams in the campaign leading up to the 2026 tournament. Coach Benni McCarthy, who began his tenure recently, will lead Kenya, aiming to shift the team’s playing style from a defensive to a more attacking approach.
McKinstry, who previously coached the Gor Mahia club and the Gambia national team, remarked on the significant tactical changes McCarthy has introduced to the Kenyan squad. Previously more defensive under coach Engin Firat, Kenya often relied on set-pieces. McKinstry anticipates a shift towards a more aggressive and dynamic style under McCarthy.
In discussing the matchup, McKinstry pointed out that Kenya has had numerous draws in their recent matches, stating, “Kenya has drawn a lot of football matches… they have drawn 10 of their last 20 games.” He emphasized the importance of adapting to the new strategies that McCarthy will implement, which prioritize pressing and offensive play.
Despite being familiar with the Kenyan players, McKinstry acknowledged that understanding their game plan under McCarthy will be a challenge. He stated: “There is a little bit of the unknown going into the Kenyan game… knowing players doesn’t mean I know what the game plan is going to be.”
Gambia aims to secure points from both upcoming matches against Kenya and Ivory Coast, with McKinstry underscoring the necessity of approaching both games with seriousness. He noted that both opponents are ranked higher than Gambia, with Ivory Coast notably maintaining a remarkable home record in competitive matches since 2017. McKinstry concluded by expressing confidence in Gambia’s capabilities to compete with strong teams on the continent.
Gambia’s upcoming fixtures in the World Cup qualifiers are critical as they face Kenya and Ivory Coast. The strategic shift in Kenya’s playing style under Benni McCarthy represents a significant challenge for Gambia. McKinstry’s insights reveal both the strengths and unpredictability of the Kenyan squad, emphasizing the need for Gambia to adapt and enhance their performance to achieve favorable outcomes in these matches.
Original Source: www.flashscore.com
