Harambee Stars/X
PLAYER RATINGS: Error-strewn Harambee Stars defense punished in 8-0 annihilation by Senegal
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Reading Time: 1min | Tue. 18.11.25. | 20:53
Benni McCarthy's rearguard did not cover itself in glory as the Teranga Lions' stars took them apart
The Kenya men's senior national football team - Harambee Stars - suffered one of its worst defeats in recent memory when they got smashed 8-0 by Senegal at Mardan Stadium in Antalya, Turkey on Tuesday, 18 November.
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Always expected to be a tough evening, Benni McCarthy's side was put to the cleaners early on, falling 5-0 inside 30 minutes, and his defense was ultimately left to dry in what was Kenya's heaviest loss since their 9-0 annihilation by Zambia on Monday, 13 November 1978.
In this piece, we look at how individual players fared on.
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Brian BwireGoalkeeper
Was always going to have a busy evening, but he did not help himself by playing a part in a couple of Senegal goals. He was beaten on his near-post by Nicolas Jackson for the first goal, played a blind pass to Ibrahim Mbaye for Senegal's second, and could not bat away Sadio Mane's effort for the sixth. All that, plus being sent the wrong way on two penalties. Ouch.
Rating
2
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Baron OchiengDefense
Tough introduction for him in the senior squad, and he found himself skating on ice early in the first half when Jackson breezed past him for the first goal. Minutes later, he fouled Mbaye inside the box for Senegal's fifth, and was constantly found out of position. He was a tad steadier when played in midfield in the second half.
Rating
3
Alphonce OmijaDefense
Struggled to make a mark all evening. After allowing Jackson to get past him for the opening goal, the Etoile du Sahel defender was out of position when two long balls resulted in Senegal's third and fourth goals, his pace or lack of it exposed in a big way. McCarthy took him out of his misery at half-time.
Rating
2
Sylvester OwinoDefense
Did not dress himself in glory either, but put himself about so that his presence was felt. He cannot be blamed for Senegal's second - that goes to Bwire's indecision - but fingers could be pointed in his direction for conceding a late penalty on Cherif Ndiaye.
Rating
3
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Bryton OnyonaDefense
Could end up being the only player who outplayed himself on the pitch. The Gor Mahia full-back gave his all on his full debut and did not play a direct role in Kenya conceding any goal. McCarthy trusted him for all 90 minutes and deservedly got high fives from his teammates at full-time.
Rating
4
Anthony AkumuMidfield
Struggled to get into the fast proceedings of this match, and almost felt like a passenger. He was hooked off at half-time.
Rating
2
Alpha Onyango Midfield
Would tick the box for effort. Though overpowered, the Gor Mahia man gave a strong display in midfield, and he could still walk out of the game saying he was the only man that got close to scoring for Kenya.
Rating
4
Duke AbuyaMidfield
Was easy to miss him on that field given how little of the ball he had. His role was reduced to dropping back and initiating fast breaks, which was not the case.
Rating
3
Austin OdhiamboAttack
Just like Abuya, the Gor Mahia man was almost non-existent. When on the ball, it was like a hot potato and was easily shrugged off. Lasted for only 45 minutes.
Rating
2
Jonah AyungaAttack
Fed off scraps as expected, only when the ball came his way, he could not stick with it. It was his heavy chest control that led to Senegal's sixth goal.
Rating
2
William LenkupaeMidfield
Put himself about as expected and lasted the full 90 minutes. His tendency to pass backwards was not helpful to McCarthy's idea of going forward, but crucially extended possession when he had the ball on his feet.
Rating
3
Ovella OchiengMidfield
Was thrown in at the start of the second half, and like his fellow forwards, was reduced to pressing and feeding off ... nothing.
Rating
2
Michael KibwageDefense
Super substitute - if that term can dare apply in this game - but he came in from the bench and settled the defense. There is a case he could have done better for Mbaye's goal, but for the rest of the game, his leadership was evident. He directed play, whacked efforts clear, and befittingly ended the game with the armband.
Rating
5
Ryan OgamAttack
For a man who shows his frustration with hard pressing, he was forced to do that here, and rarely got himself within a chance of doing what he knows best.
Rating
2
Rooney OnyangoDefense
Came in at halftime and felt the complete opposite of the hurried, rash Baron. Alongside Kibwage, he calmed things down his right side.
Rating
3
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Lawrence OkothAttack
Came on shortly after the hour-mark for his senior debut. Did not have much of the ball, but did have a couple of clean touches when Kenya was on the break.
Rating
2
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Shariff MusaAttack
Also came in after the 60th minute and showed his immense speed on the left. He at one moment cut through the Senegal defense, and placed a decent pass from the byline which could not be converted.
Rating
2
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