Kenya endured one of the bleakest nights in their football history, falling 8–0 to a sharp and disciplined Senegal side in a friendly match in Antalya, Turkey. It was their worst result in more than 40 years, and a painful benchmark for a team trying to rebuild.
Senegal were in control from the first whistle. Their speed, accuracy, and confidence exposed Kenya’s weaknesses all over the pitch. By halftime, the match had already slipped far beyond reach.
Head coach Benni McCarthy did not hide his disappointment. “This was a hard lesson,” he said after the match. “We were second to everything. We have a long road ahead, but we can only move forward by accepting what went wrong.”
A Brutal First Half
Senegal struck early. Nicolas Jackson punished a defensive mistake within the opening minutes. Malick Diouf doubled the lead soon after, again from a lapse at the back. By the 15th minute, Jackson had scored another, leaving Kenya stunned and chasing shadows.
Sadio Mané then took over. The Senegal captain was precise and relentless, completing a first-half hat-trick that showed the gulf in experience between the two sides. “We wanted to play with intensity and focus,” Mané told reporters. “This was preparation for us, and we treated it seriously.”
Senegal even had a seventh goal flagged off for offside shortly before the break, a small mercy for Kenya on a difficult evening.
No Relief After the Break
The second half offered little improvement. Mané and Jackson continued to find space with ease. Substitute Chérif Ndiaye sealed the 8–0 scoreline from the penalty spot, the second penalty Kenya conceded on the night.
Kenya’s goalkeeper Brian Bwire produced a few impressive saves, including a strong stop from a Kalidou Koulibaly header, but the pressure was constant. Kenya showed brief flashes in attack through Jonah Ayunga and William Lenkupae, yet Senegal’s defence shut down every attempt before it became dangerous.
A Painful Reality Check
For Kenya, this match was a reminder of the work needed to compete at the highest level. The defeat will likely prompt honest reflection within the camp. While it was only a friendly, the size of the loss will not be forgotten anytime soon.
Senegal, meanwhile, will take confidence from the result as they prepare for the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco next month. Their clinical performance suggested a team in sync and ready for greater challenges.
McCarthy remained calm but firm about the task ahead. “This team is growing,” he said. “Nights like this hurt, but they also teach. We will regroup, and we will respond.”
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