A look at Harambee Stars’ heaviest defeats in history
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 19.11.25. | 12:01
Here is a look at where the 8-0 defeat to Senegal ranks in the list of the most humiliating defeats in Harambee Stars’ history
On Tuesday night, Harambee Stars endured a degrading 8-0 defeat to Senegal in an international friendly played in Turkey, with the result going down in history for the wrong reasons as one of the worst scorelines in the nation’s football history.
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While a loss to the Lions of Teranga was not entirely a surprise, conceding eight goals was far from expected. The staggering defeat has sparked intense debate among fans and football stakeholders alike.
Senegal, the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations champions, dominated throughout, with Sadio Mane scoring a hat-trick, Nicolas Jackson netting two goals, and Malick Diouf, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Cheikh Ndiaye adding one each.
Here is a look at where the 8-0 defeat to Senegal ranks in the list of the most humiliating defeats in Harambee Stars’ history:
Worst Harambee Stars defeats in history
Uganda 13–1 Kenya (14 December 1932)
Kenya’s heaviest defeat dates back to the early era of organised football in East Africa. In a Gossage Cup clash in Kampala, the Kenyan side was completely outclassed by Uganda, with little hope of competing in the match.
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Ghana 13–2 Kenya—12 December 1965
During the first Jamhuri Day celebrations at Jamhuri Park Stadium, Kenya suffered one of its most humiliating losses. Head coach Peter Oronge had abandoned the team just four hours before the match, forcing the Football Kenya Federation to appoint Ray Bachelor at the last minute.
Despite his efforts, Kenya was overwhelmed by Ghana’s Black Stars. Striker Ben Acheampong scored four times before halftime, and President Jomo Kenyatta reportedly quipped during the match, “Where is Kipchoge (Keino) to run around with these people?”
Zambia 9–0 Kenya—13 November 1978
In the CECAFA Cup in Lilongwe, Harambee Stars suffered a devastating 9–0 loss to a dominant Zambian side. This result remained a benchmark of national humiliation for decades, until it was nearly matched by Tuesday’s defeat to Senegal.
Senegal 8–0 Kenya—18 November 2025
The Lions of Teranga, led by Sadio Mane, put Harambee Stars to the sword in Turkey. What was expected to be an entertaining international friendly turned into a one-sided display, cementing this match as one of the darkest chapters in Kenyan football.
Mali 5–0 Kenya—7 October 2021
Former Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat endured a baptism of fire in his debut match, losing 5–0 to Mali in Morocco during a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier.
The heavy defeat prompted a major shake-up in Kenyan football, leading to the dissolution of FKF and the formation of a caretaker committee to manage the sport in the country.
