FKF president promises reforms after Kenya's humiliating loss to Senegal
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 19.11.25. | 11:03
In a social media post after the match, Mohammed acknowledged the magnitude of the loss, calling it “a bad day in the office”
The Kenya national senior men's football team, Harambee Stars, endured a humiliating 8-0 defeat to Senegal in Turkey on Tuesday evening, prompting FKF president Hussein Mohammed to issue a heartfelt apology and promise sweeping reforms aimed at rebuilding the team.
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The match quickly turned disastrous for Kenya as Senegal struck early, opening the scoring in the ninth minute, and by halftime, Stars were already trailing 6-0.
Sadio Mane scored a hat-trick, Nicholas Jackson added two goals, and Malick Diouf contributed another, while the second half saw further damage from Ibrahim Mbaye and Cheikh Ndiaye. The result stands as one of the heaviest defeats in the history of Harambee Stars.
In a social media post after the match, Mohammed acknowledged the magnitude of the loss, calling it “a bad day in the office.”
He reflected on the performance as a stark reminder of the standards Kenyan football must meet. “Truth be told, today (Tuesday) is a bad day in the office,” Hussein wrote.
Hussein emphasised that competing with the best in the world requires more than talent. It demands serious investment in infrastructure, professional coaching, and player development.
“The results from today’s (Tuesday's) game are a wake-up call. To play and compete against the best in the world requires deliberate investment in a serious and professional technical team and player development programs,” he stated.
He went further to assure Kenyans that the federation would take concrete action to prevent a repeat of such a defeat: “We have no excuses. I apologise for these results. We shall fix it. We will review our policies, operational procedures, and key performance indicators of all staff, starting from the grassroots and extending to all national teams.”
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FKF deputy president McDonald Mariga echoed Hussein’s sentiments but framed them in a philosophical light. Acknowledging the pain of the loss, Mariga urged against finger-pointing and emphasised accountability and learning.
“The loss to Senegal is painful, no excuses,” he said. “It’s a harsh lesson on what top-level football demands. We take responsibility, fix our mistakes, and come back stronger. We’re not hiding, we’re not blaming anyone, and we’re not giving up. To the fans, thank you for sticking with us even on days like this.”
Mariga also addressed the players directly, positioning the defeat as an opportunity for growth rather than discouragement.
“To the players, this is fuel. To the team, this is a wake-up call. Harambee Stars will bounce back stronger, better, and more prepared for the level we aim to compete at,” he affirmed, signalling a commitment to resilience and improvement.
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