Where Senegal 8:0 Kenya Ranks Among Harambee Stars' Worst Defeats

Once the talk of the town after upsetting Morocco 1-0 with 10 men during the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in August, Kenya's Harambee Stars crashed down to Earth in brutal fashion after an 8-0 thumping against Senegal, ranked 18th in the FIFA standings.

Both teams entered the game eager to bounce back after defeats in their recent friendlies, with Kenya having lost 1–0 to Equatorial Guinea on Friday and Senegal reeling from a 2–0 loss to Brazil.

The game saw Kenya struggle against a dominant Lions of Teranga side, which raced to a 4-0 lead against Benni McCarthy's men just before the 20-minute mark, with former Liverpool winger Sadio Mané bagging a hat trick.

Senegal were using these friendlies to assess their readiness for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next month in Morocco, while McCarthy is focused on shaping a strong squad for the 2027 AFCON, which made this clash crucial for both sides.

Graphic of Kenya's humiliating 8-0 loss to Senegal on November 17, 2025. /VIRAL TEA KE

Is This Harambee Stars' Worst Defeat Ever?

Kenya's national football team has experienced some heavy defeats throughout its history, marking low points in its international record. Its most notorious defeat came on December 11, 1965, when Kenya lost 13–2 to Ghana in a friendly at Jamhuri Park Stadium. 

Ghana dominated from the start, scoring eight goals in the first half alone, with both Osei Kofi and Kofi Pare netting four each before halftime. Kenya managed a penalty to make it 8–2, but Ghana added more goals in the second half, cementing one of Kenya’s most humiliating results.

Historically, Kenya also suffered a 13–1 defeat to Uganda on December 14, 1932, marking one of the earliest recorded heavy losses in the team’s history. While detailed match reports from that era are scarce, this result stands out as a significant early setback for the national team.

In more recent years, Harambee Stars have endured several heavy losses in competitive fixtures. In a 2021 FIFA World Cup qualifier, Kenya was beaten 5–0 by Mali. Similarly, a friendly in November 2009 saw Kuwait defeat Kenya by the same margin.

Regional tournaments have also seen tough results; in the 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup semi-final, Kenya lost 4–1 to Eritrea, adding to previous disappointing results against the same team, including a 2–1 home loss in a 2006 AFCON qualifier.

Kenya’s struggles have extended even to invitational tournaments. In the 2018 Hero Intercontinental Cup final, Kenya was defeated 3–0 by India, a result that raised eyebrows given the relative rankings of the teams.

Ranked: Harambee Stars' Worst Defeats By Goal Margin

• Kenya 2–13 Ghana – December 11, 1965

• Uganda 13–1 Kenya – December 14, 1932

• Kenya 0-8 Senegal- November 18, 2025

• Mali 5–0 Kenya – October 7, 2021

• Kuwait 5–0 Kenya – November 2009

• Eritrea 4–1 Kenya – 2019 CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup semi-final

• India 3–0 Kenya – June 2018

Kenya vs Senegal Report

Coach McCarthy used the match to test new players, with Zamalek’s Baron Ochieng’ making his senior debut at right back and Gor Mahia’s Bryton Onyona starting at left back. Brian Bwire replaced Byrne Omondi in goal, while Austine Odhiambo and Teddy Akumu returned to the midfield starting lineup.

From kickoff, Kenya struggled. Senegal came out intense, pressuring the Harambee Stars immediately and forcing two early corners within five minutes.

The Lions of Teranga struck first in the ninth minute when Chelsea forward Nicholas Jackson, on loan at Bayern Munich, cut in from the left and scored from a tight angle. Moments later, a defensive mistake by Sylvester Owino, following a poor Bwire pass, allowed El Hadji Malick Diouf an easy tap-in for Senegal’s second.

Jackson completed his brace in the 14th minute, calmly finishing a long pass. Three minutes later, Mané exploited space in midfield, firing a powerful shot from the halfway line to make it 4–0. 

Ochieng’ conceded a penalty in the 30th minute, which Mané converted, and he scored again in the 35th after capitalizing on Bwire’s punch, sending Kenya into halftime trailing 6–0.

The second half offered no respite. Ibrahim Mbaye added Senegal’s seventh in the 48th minute, and Owino’s second penalty in the 80th minute allowed Cherif Ndiaye to complete the 8–0 rout.

The result marked McCarthy’s heaviest defeat as coach and one of Kenya’s worst losses in decades, though still short of the historic 13–2 defeat to Ghana in 1965.

This match closed Kenya’s calendar year, with their next international engagement scheduled for March 2026. The technical bench now faces a crucial period to regroup and fix the defensive frailties exposed in Turkey.

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy during a past training session. /PULSE SPORTS