Kenya vs The Gambia: 5 Key Scorpion Players Who Could Sting Harambee Stars

Harambee Stars take on The Gambia in a 2026 World Cup qualifier at Kasarani Stadium on Friday afternoon looking to maintain their recent impressive run.

Kenya are unbeaten, in 90 minutes, in their last seven matches in all competitions with their only blip being a post-match penalty defeat to Madagascar in the quarter-final of CHAN 2024 last month, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

Given they are playing at home, Benni McCarthy’s men are seen as favourites but they must be wary of The Scorpions from The Gambia as they possess some quality players who could stun them in Nairobi on Friday afternoon.

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So, who are the key players from The Gambia that Harambee Stars must watch out?

Harambee Stars need no reminding about the talents of the Brighton and Hove Albion winger Yankuba Minteh who scored one goal when the two teams last met.

A right winger, Minteh’s dribbling, pace and ability to stretch defences gave Kenya plenty of problems in March and Harambee Stars can expect the same from the 21-year-old who has started Brighton’s three Premier League games this season.

Another player who was a thorn in the flesh for Harambee Stars in March, Burrow could have ended with a hat-trick, had he not missed a first half penalty, but scored two great goals in the 3-3 draw.

His second goal was a thing of beauty as he curled in from an impossible angle, showing the qualities of the Al-Tawoon left winger who is adept at cutting inside with his strong right foot and can also slot in as a striker.

Burrow is strong and athletic and gives opposing full-backs a hard time as he is not easy to dispossess.

The Austria-based midfielder will be one of those tasked with ensuring Kenya does not win the midfield battle as he brings a lot of experience playing in the Austrian Bundesliga with Rapid Vienna and also the Europa Conference league.

Tall and athletic, Barry is a nail-on starter for Johnathan McKinstry’s side as he rarely misses a game at club level and Harambee Stars should also know him well having faced him in the two teams’ last meetings.

Barry is good at winning aerial battles, is the link between defence and attack and stifling him will be key to killing off the supply line for The Gambia.

McKinstry has preferred a back three since taking over The Gambia in June 2024 and key to this system is the work and quality of the wingbacks.

For The Gambia, Cesena'a Joseph Ceesay has been one of their key players and delivered two assists against Harambee Stars last time out thanks to his marauding runs forward.

He combines great pace and defensive discipline which makes him an asset when attacking and when they lose the ball hence the need to keep him in check at Kasarani.

One of the most experienced players in the side, defender Sheriff Sinyan is central to how The Gambia play as he is the leader at the back when they play either with a back three or a four-man defence.

Sinyan plays in the middle of the back three and is the one tasked with carrying the ball into midfield and supplying the passes due to his ball-playing skills while his big frame makes him an asset when defending set-pieces and a danger when attacking them.

The 29-year-old plays for CFR Cluj in Romania and brings significant experience as he also regularly plays European football with his club.