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PLAYER RATINGS: Shambolic defense, limp midfield expose Harambee Stars in horror show
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Reading Time: 1min | Fri. 05.09.25. | 18:52
All three Gambia goals resulted from defensive errors, with the midfield in the first half looking non existent
Kenya men's national football team Harambee Stars kissed their fading 2026 FIFA World Cup hopes bye after succumbing to a 3-1 home defeat to The Gambia on Friday, 5 September.
Billed a game the hosts would "give everything", the opposite was true as Benni McCarthy's side put on a disappointing show in front of their fans.
In this piece, we look at how individual players fared in a game that will no doubt stick less in the memory.
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Bryne OdhiamboGoalkeeper
Not entirely the man to blame for all Gambia goals. On a day his defense was all over the place, Bryne was obviously scrambling, perhaps his notable hiccup being his decision to leave his line in the build-up to the second goal, ultimately handing Yankuba Minteh time and space to slide a ball past him.
Rating
4
Aboud OmarDefense
He looked less like the man who led his team during CHAN. His error in judgement saw him pick a quick yellow card, and despite hitting a few crosses early on, he sort of faded in the game, and was the man who Minteh ran rugged all game. His gaps in behind were exploited, and he offered less going forward afterwards.
Rating
3
Collins SichenjeMidfield
Will rank well below his best outings in a Harambee Stars shirt. Was a bag of nerves from kickoff, gifting Gambia possession, and constantly out of sync with his partner Sylvester Owino.
He did well to collect himself in a dominant second half, but the damage was already done.
Rating
3
Sylvester OwinoDefense
Kenya's best of a bad defensive bunch? Probably, but not by much. His long-range assist to Ryan Ogam was delightful, but he was the man who coughed up possession leading up to Minteh's goal.
Rating
5
Rooney OnyangoDefense
A shadow of his former self. To continue the trend of a horrific defensive performance, he was the man that gave up possession leading up to the first Gambia goal, and though known for his runs forward, could not muster much, before being hooked with little under 20 minutes left.
Rating
3
Richard OdadaMidfield
McCarthy on Monday seemed to indicate Odada was his only option in defensive midfield, and many will question how and why. Odada failed to track his man for the opening Gambia goal, and was just but a pedestrian in the middle of the park. Lacked initiative to play passes forward, and was nowhere to be found when the Scorpions pounced. Took 45 minutes - maybe even less - for McCarthy to decide it was over for him. Disastrous.
Rating
2
Timothy OumaMidfield
Did the very worst in convincing McCarthy for another go in the national team. If Odada was a passenger, Ouma was completely lackadaisical. A fancy pass in defense saw Gambia pounce and whack in the third goal, and that was just but a small glimpse into a careless, ponderous kind of football from the Lech Poznan man, who got his reward by being hooked off at halftime.
Rating
3
EMMANUEL OSOROAttack
Bang average, but unlike the men in midfield, was committed. From the onset, the Power Dynamos man was the outlet on the left-hand side, and at times drifted to the middle to do his best in feeding off scraps. Could not be faulted for lack of trying.
Rating
5
William LenkupaeMidfield
Might not be the silkiest of forwards Kenya has, but like Osoro, he was seemingly everywhere, husting for every ball. He failed to make incisive passes when fed in space, but there was a reason McCarthy kept him on for the full game. Tireless operator.
Rating
4
Duke AbuyaMidfield
On a lucky day, he perhaps gets himself on the scoresheet. He dug his heels in advanced positions, doing his best to shield the ball and play in partner Michael Olunga. Some of his breakaway decisions might not have been the best, but his linkup play and movements off the ball injected some hope.
Rating
5
Michael OlungaAttack
Hung around in the right positions but could not get much to go his way. An early header was comfortable for the Gambia keeper, and struggled much after that to get balls in his direction. His one chance to initiate a break saw him lay off a tame pass to Abuya, who had strayed offside.
Rating
4
Ryan OgamAttack
There were cheers when he stood up from the bench, and he surely repaid McCarthy and the fans by giving them one reason to get off their seats. His energetic runs were rewarded with a fine goal late on, all but advancing his stakes as the next big thing.
Rating
7
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Manzur OkwaroDefense
Many will wonder why he was sidelined in the first place. His 45 minutes were pleasing to the eye. Full energy, no handbrakes on, and no gifting away possession. He does not play in Europe, but did miles better that some who do.
Rating
6
Alpha Onyango Midfield
McCarthy again, will be rubbing his head wondering why he also left him on the bench from the start. Alpha played his best role of a workhorse, and could even have got one to go just minutes after his introduction. Need front-foot action? Call Alpha!
Rating
6
Bonface MuchiriAttack
Was a bit late to the party, no fair rating.
Rating
-
Job OchiengAttack
Was brought on for his debut, and will be a player McCarthy will hope to get to see more of on the wings. Not the best day for him to get a rating.
Rating
-
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