Senegal wipe the floor with Harambee Stars in Kenya's heaviest defeat in 47 years

2026 FIFA World Cup-bound Senegal showed no mercy, wreaking havoc as they whitewashed Kenya 8-0 in an international friendly match staged at the Mardan Stadium in Antalya, Turkey.

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Sadio Mané’s first-half hat-trick, Nicolas Jackson’s brace, and goals from Malick Diouf, Mané in the second half and substitute Chérif Ndiaye sealed a comprehensive victory for the West African giants in what turned out to be a sobering reality check for the Harambee Stars.

The defeat marked the heaviest loss for coach Benni McCarthy since taking charge of Kenya in March and exposed the gulf in class between the two sides.

🔴 As it happened: Harambee Stars whitewashed 8-0 by Senegal

This was also Kenya's heaviest loss in 47 years since their 9-0 annihilation by Zambia on Monday, 13 November 1978 in the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

Senegal, boasting one of the continent’s most polished and talent-laden squads, signalled their intentions from the opening whistle.

They broke the deadlock inside nine minutes when Nicolas Jackson punished slack defending, the Chelsea forward, currently on loan at Bayern Munich, calmly slotting past goalkeeper Brian Bwire.

Three minutes later, the Lions of Teranga doubled their advantage.

Malick Diouf capitalised on a defensive lapse inside the box, steering a firm strike beyond the helpless Bwire after meeting a well-delivered delivery by Idrirssa Gueye.

Kenya, struggling to settle under the early onslaught, were soon undone again.

In the 15th minute, Jackson completed his brace, pouncing on Ismaïla Sarr’s inviting delivery and tapping beyond the advancing Polokwane custodian to make it 3–0.

Barely a minute later, Senegal had a fourth.

Mané, the 2019 African Player of the Year, latched onto an Idrissa Gueye pass, burst past his marker, and unleashed a thunderous drive that left Bwire with no chance.

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Kenya attempted to steady the ship, creating half-chances through Jonah Ayunga and William Lenkupae, but their efforts offered little threat to Senegal’s disciplined backline.

Just as the Stars looked to gain a foothold, Senegal struck again.

Mané converted from the penalty spot after Sylvester Owino tripped him inside the area, sending Bwire the wrong way to make it 5–0.

Seven minutes later, the Al-Nassr forward completed his hat-trick.

Displaying his trademark composure, Mané weaved past a defender before his chipped effort deflected off Bwire and into the net for Senegal’s sixth of the evening.

Kenya were spared an even greater deficit moments before halftime when Jackson’s neat finish from Iliman Ndiaye’s clever through ball was denied by an offside flag.

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The disallowed goal sent both teams into the break with Senegal firmly in command.

The second half resumed with the same intensity from the 2021 African champions, who continued their ruthless pursuit of goals.

Jackson combined neatly with Mané, setting up the Al Nassr forward to round his marker and slot home a left-footed finish for Senegal’s seventh.

Senegal nearly added an eighth on the hour mark when Kalidou Koulibaly connected with Sarr’s cross, but Bwire reacted sharply to deny the towering defender with a commendable save.

Kenya enjoyed improved spells of possession as substitutes Shariff Musa, Ayunga, and Alpha crafted attacking movements, yet none of their build-up play troubled the Senegalese defense.

Any faint hopes of a Kenyan consolation were extinguished ten minutes from time when substitute Chérif Ndiaye converted from the penalty spot after Sylvester Owino committed a second foul inside the box.

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The composed finish sealed an emphatic 8–0 triumph for the Lions of Teranga.

While the friendly holds little significance for Kenya, the result will serve as a stark reminder of the work required as McCarthy continues to rebuild the squad.

For Senegal, however, the dominant display offered a timely boost ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off in Morocco next month.