Harambee Stars will head into the clash after their shambolic display saw them hammered 3-1 by Gambia at the same venue on Friday, September 5th, while Seychelles suffered a humiliating 4-0 defeat against Gabon at National Sports Complex Pitch 1 in Mauritania.
During the first round meeting, Kenya hammered the Island nation 5-0 with lead striker Michael Olunga grabbing a brace, while Masoud Juma, Rooney Onyango and Benson Omalla scored a goal apiece.
While Kenya lies fifth in the group with six points amassed from one win, three draws, and three defeats, Seychelles lies at the bottom with zero points. They have lost all seven matches and conceded 34 goals in the process.
‘Football has taught me to respect opponents’
Despite Seychelles' poor run of results in the campaign, McCarthy has warned against complacency, insisting that Kenya will not look at Seychelles’ previous results, but will be focused on playing their game and fighting for a win.
“I think in football, I have learnt not to underestimate any opponent, no matter what the result from previous matches have shown, but what matters is what the opponent can do during match day, so I think we try not to buy into statistics that they have played and lost every single game, up until now,” said McCarthy ahead of the fixture.
“We don’t want to take them (Seychelles) for granted, just because everybody as managed to beat them by two or three goals, so we think it will be the same to us, no… if tomorrow (Tuesday), they come with a completely different mindset, then we go into the match with a frame of mind that we should be winning this game, we will only create problems for ourselves.”
He added: “So, we respect every opponent we play against, whether you are Ivory Coast, or whether you are Seychelles, we give the respect that you deserve and then when the match starts, I want our players to be really switched on, and really go for it, because every game is an opportunity to learn, better ourselves, and improve on our stand in the group, and on our FIFA rankings.
“We don’t take for granted who we play against, tomorrow (Tuesday), we will be very well prepared, and ready to take the game to them and depending on what Seychelles stands up to, that will determine the result, but for us nothing but a win will do.”
Aboud Omar, Omija to miss Seychelles clash
On whether Kenya has injury concerns heading into the fixture, McCarthy said: “Now so far, we have been very fortunate, none of the players has picked up injuries, we do have one concern, Aboud Omar is suspended for the game, so he will be missing, but other than that everyone is okay, and ready.”
McCarthy further confirmed that Kenyan record champions Gor Mahia midfielder Alphonce Omija will miss the game after being granted permission to travel to Tunisia, where he is scheduled to sign for Tunisian giants ES Sahel.
“We also had one player leave the camp, but I okayed the decision because, it was an opportunity for him to join a club in Tunisia, and it was a really short window, and the transfer window was closing, so I thought if the player failed to do medical, he ends up losing the opportunity after a great show during CHAN.
“It was only the right thing for me to do, to give the player permission to travel, and allow him to undergo medical and make the move to a very good, decent Tunisian side, and that it Alphonse (Omija), so he is left the camp, the day before yesterday, so I will miss two defenders, but everybody else is fit, healthy, and good to go.”
McCarthy will hope to win the matchday eight fixture and regain the confidence of Kenyans, who were left disappointed after the defeat against the Scorpions.
