Kenyans express disappointment in Harambee Stars after loss to Equatorial Guinea
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Reading Time: 3min | Sat. 15.11.25. | 20:47
From the loss, Mozzart Sport sampled reactions from Harambee Stars fans and Kenyans at large, sent directly to us and on social media for purposes of this article
Harambee Stars fans were a frustrated lot after watching Kenya suffer a 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea in a friendly match played on Friday, 14 November at the Emirhan Sports Centre in Antalya, Turkey.
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The match was the first of the two friendlies that Kenya scheduled for the November international break, all of which will be held in Turkey.
In the Friday evening clash, Jose Miranda's 45th-minute strike from the spot after he was fouled in the box by Rooney Onyango was all that the Central African nation needed to avenge the 1-0 loss they suffered at the hands of Kenya in 2018 in the only other encounter between the two sides.
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From the loss, Mozzart Sport sampled reactions from Harambee Stars fans and Kenyans at large, sent directly to us and on social media for purposes of this article.
“Looks like we always take one step forward and two backwards. I honestly expected us to beat Equatorial Guinea, especially following our performance at CHAN (African Nations Championship) and our failed 2026 World Cup qualifier.
How we then lost to Equatorial Guinea leaves a lot to be desired. I am honestly disappointed with the whole team after that loss,” Cedric Shitanda told Mozzart Sport.
Shitanda’s sentiments were similar to those of Gor Mahia fan Fabian Nyamunga.
“I am tempted to believe that Harambee Stars will never improve. I had so much faith in this team, especially with McCarthy (Benni) at the helm, but they have been disappointing, especially after CHAN.
Against Equatorial Guinea, the whole team performed below par and with no inspiration at all. We were sloppy in both defense and attack, and the result was what we deserved.
The defense was sloppy, the midfield was ineffective, the attack was blunt, and the whole team was dysfunctional. Totally disappointing.”
As for Newton Mano, the result was a true characteristic of the Harambee Stars.
“After our loss to Gambia, I learnt that our CHAN performance was an outlier. We played that match in a disappointing fashion that we are used to.
It is that same performance that I witnessed against Equatorial Guinea, a country that Kenya should be beating if we are committed to growth,” stated Mano.
Kenya sits 109th in the latest FIFA rankings, 10 places below Equatorial Guinea, who are Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON)-bound.
On the Harambee Stars Facebook page, Wilo decried wasted chances, noting that the team missed captain Michael Olunga.
“A good second half, but without creating many clear chances, although they missed one good opportunity. The country has a shortage of good wingers, defensive midfielders and strikers.
Olunga is still the best that we have. Ogam (Ryan Wesley) has been doing well so far, but he cannot do it alone. Ayunga (Jonah) is really struggling every time he gets a call-up,” he posted.
On the same platform, John Mghanga was not impressed with Ogam on the starting 11 while also noting the squandered chance to improve Kenya’s FIFA ranking.
“If McCarthy wants results from Ogam, he should play him as a super sub, in the second 45 minutes, and he will score.
By now, the coach should have settled and known his Team A and Team B and not trying players. To the players, they should start taking friendlies seriously because every win improves our FIFA ranking. Lastly, in the team, there are still gaps which need to be fixed urgently,” stated Mghanga.
For Maria Nyasato, Harambee Stars can only deliver victories if President William Ruto issues incentives.
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“Without the Ksh1 million promise from the President, it looks like Harambee Stars cannot win any match,” she posted.
Harambee Stars will have another opportunity to register a win when they face 2021 AFCON champions Senegal in yet another friendly match on Tuesday, 18 November in Antalya, Turkey.
