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Wounded Harambee Stars seek to close year with statement win over 2021 AFCON champions
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 18.11.25. | 07:52
In the last four meetings, Senegal have claimed three emphatic 3-0 victories at the 1992, 2004, and 2019 AFCON editions, alongside a 1-0 friendly win in 2012
Harambee Stars will be back in international action on Tuesday, 18 November, when they square it up with African giants Senegal in a high-profile friendly in Antalya, Türkey.
The fixture comes barely four days after Kenya’s first outing of the November FIFA international window against Equatorial Guinea on Friday, 14 November.
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For Benni McCarthy’s charges, the encounter arrives at a pivotal moment, as Kenya will be seeking a swift response after slipping to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea.
The loss extended their run of defeats following last month’s 3-0 setback to reigning Africa Cup of Nations champions, Ivory Coast.
The South African tactician, who took over in March, is keen to restore momentum and steer the Stars back to winning ways.
Despite recent results, McCarthy’s tenure has already produced flashes of promise.
The former Bafana Bafana striker boasts notable statement victories over established African forces, including three- and two-time CHAN winners Morocco and DR Congo, during the recently concluded August championship.
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Tuesday’s duel, therefore, presents another opportunity for Stars to stamp their authority against elite opposition and perhaps register what would be McCarthy's fifth win in charge.
However, the task ahead is formidable. Senegal arrives in Antalya with one of the most star-studded squads on the continent, a group oozing European pedigree and top-flight experience.
Coach Pape Thiaw’s selection features a polished English Premier League contingent, including El Hadji Malick Diouf (West Ham United), Pape Matar Sarr (Tottenham Hotspur), Idrissa 'Gana' Gueye (Everton), Ismaïla Sarr (Crystal Palace), and Iliman Ndiaye (Everton).
Adding to the star power are global icons Sadio Mané of Al Nassr and Édouard Mendy of Al Ahli.
The Lions of Teranga will be equally eager to make amends after suffering a 2-0 defeat to five-time world champions Brazil at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday, 15 November.
With the 2025 AFCON in Morocco fast approaching, now exactly one month away, this friendly carries significant weight for Thiaw’s men as they fine-tune their squad and assess readiness ahead of the continental showpiece.
History, though, leans heavily in favour of Senegal. The West African giants enjoy a perfect winning record over Kenya across competitive and friendly fixtures.
In the last four meetings, Senegal have claimed three emphatic 3-0 victories at the 1992, 2004, and 2019 AFCON editions, alongside a 1-0 friendly win in 2012.
