- Over 200 people were arrested in Abidjan ahead of Harambee Stars’ World Cup qualifier match vs the Ivory Coast
- The Ivory Coast is set to hold its presidential elections in two weeks, and tension has escalated in the country
- The West African country has a sad and storied history of violence related to election disputes, as the current president eyes a fourth term
Harambee Stars will play Ivory Coast in their final match of the 2026 World Cup qualifier matches on Tuesday in Abidjan.
Source: UGC
The match, which will be held at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, will have no consequences for Kenya as they are already out of contention.
However, the hosts will be in desperate need of a win as Gabon can still pip them to the automatic qualification spot.
Ivory Coast 2025 elections
But away from the pitch, Harambee Stars will play in a volatile country that is currently in full-election mood.
The Ivory Coast are set to hold its presidential elections on October 25, and the tensions in the country have flared.
Current president Alassane Ouattara, who has been in office since 2010, made the controversial decision to run for a third term after abolishing term limits.
Opposition calls for daily protests in Ivory Coast
The opposition parties in the country have called for daily protests leading up to the elections to protest Ouattara’s bid for another term in office.
“Demonstrations for democracy, justice, and peace will continue every day across the country until the demands for political dialogue are met,” read a statement by Common Front, the country’s main opposition, as quoted by RFI.
Two of the main opposition leaders have been barred from running.
On Saturday, the Washington Post reported that 237 people were arrested with the Vagondo Diomandė, the Minister of the Interior and Security, reiterating the need for peace before the elections.
Election-related violence in Ivory Coast
Elections in Ivory Coast have always been hotly contested, often leading to deadly clashes. In 2010, when Ouattara first came into power, the incumbent Laurent Gbagbo refused to cede power, leading to deadly clashes where more than 3000 people lost their lives.
In 2005, Didier Drogba bravely brought to an end the simmering tensions between the two warring factions.
Source: Getty Images
The Chelsea legend helped his country qualify for the World Cup for the first time in their history. He then asked the whole country to lay down their weapons, which worked for four years before the deadly clashes of 2010.
Will Harambee Stars vs Ivory Coast be played?
Yes. There are no indications yet that the political tensions could affect the Tuesday game.
Harambee Stars arrived in the country on Saturday and have since held training sessions as they seek to close out their campaign on a high.
Speaking to TUKO.co.ke from Abidjan, Ivorian journalist Clement Yentoh said that the match will be played peacefully.
“Things are going well overall, the match will take place in good conditions, conditions of peace…. However, last Saturday, some scuffles between police officers and opposition demonstrators refused the 4th term of the outgoing president, after that, life returned to normal, and the election campaign continues.”
Harambee Stars beat Burundi
The national team beat Burundi in their second-last 2026 World Cup qualifier match.
Ryan Ogam came off the bench to score the only goal of the game to send Harambee Stars into third place.
Ivory Coast need to match Gabon’s result to qualify for the World Cup. Gabon will also be at home vs Burundi.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
