Kenya’s worst defeat in history came in 1961 when they lost 13-2 against Ghana during a friendly to celebrate Jamhuri Day. At the time, the Black Stars had a very strong team with a dangerous striker in the form of Ben Acheampong.
Having lost 1-0 against Equatorial Guinea, McCarthy preferred to bench goalkeeper Bryne Omondi with Brian Bwire of South African Premier Soccer League side Polokwane City replacing him between the sticks.
In the defensive line, Barone Ochieng started from the right with Alphonse Omija, and Sylvester Owino playing in the middle while Brytone Otieno moved to the left side. Veteran Anthony Akumu anchored the midfield alongside Alpha Onyango, and Duke Abuya.
Austine Otieno got the opportunity to play behind the strikers with Johan Ayunga, who missed a host of scoring chances against Equatorial Guinea, getting the nod upfront once again assisted by William Lenkupae.
Senegal 4-0 up inside 17 minutes
The Lions of Teranga went into the contest having suffered a 2-0 defeat against Brazil, but coach Pape Thiaw kept faith with his starting XI. Former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy retained his role, while defender Kalidou Koulibaly started alongside the likes of Sadio Mane, Nicolas Jackson, and Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Kenya went with a bad record against the former African champions. The last time Harambee Stars played against the Lions of Teranga was in 2019 during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Egypt.
Kenya suffered a 3-0 defeat at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo with Mane notching a brace. Crystal Palace forward Ismailia Sarr opened the scoring before Mane made it 2-0 and added the third from the penalty spot.
Senegal looked to maintain the superb record against the East African nation as they raced into a 3-0 lead within the first 15 minutes. Bayern Munich star Jackson, who is on loan from Chelsea, opened the floodgates with only eight minutes played.
Jackson made his experience count after he dribbled past two Kenyan defenders before perfectly placing the ball into the bottom right corner.
Four minutes later, Senegal doubled their lead when Ibrahim Mbaye took advantage of a mistake from Bwire before setting up El Hadji Malick Diouf, who powered his effort into the empty net.
Senegal were not done yet as they went 3-0 up in the 14th minute. A cross from Abdoulaye Seck found the unmarked Jackson, who did the easiest thing, by slotting it past the advancing hands of Bwire.
The Lions of Teranga scored the fourth in the 17th minute this time Jackson setting up Mane to finish off a counter-attacking move. In the 30th minute, Senegal scored to make it 5-0 from the penalty spot. A move initiated from Mane found Mbaye, who was fouled inside the box.
Ndiaye put icing on the cake for Senegal
Mane stepped up to convert the resultant penalty sending Bwire diving the wrong way. As at the 30th minute, Kenya had not managed a shot on target, allowing Mendy to have a holiday. The goals continued to rain as Mane grabbed a hat-trick to make it 6-0 for the West Africans in the 34th minute.
At the start of the second period, dominant Senegal continued from where they left making the score 7-0 with only one minute of the half played. Mbaye, who had two assists already, was rewarded for his hard work after he rifled home from close range.
Substitute Cherif Ndiaye put the icing on the cake for Senegal in the 80th minute to seal the emphatic victory. McCarthy’s biggest defeat in charge of Kenya was the 3-0 outcome against Ivory Coast during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, and 3-1 result against Gambia on home soil.
In the previous five matches in all competitions, Kenya were yet to beat Senegal. The only time Kenya managed to hold Senegal was in 1990 during the AFCON qualifiers. During the first leg meeting at Stade 19 Mai 1956 in Annaba, the game ended in a 0-0 draw.
However, the return leg saw Senegal hammer Kenya 3-0 at Stade Leopold Senghor in Dakar. In 2004, the two nations met again in the AFCON qualifiers with Senegal emerging 3-0 winners at Stade 15 Octobre in Bizerte.
Senegal used the friendlies as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco. They have been drawn in Group D alongside Benin, Botswana and DR Congo.
