Hussain Mohammed, the President of Football Kenya Federation, has issued an apology to the nation after Kenya’s Harambee Stars suffered an 8-0 defeat in a friendly match against Senegal, the former African champions, which took place in Antalya, Turkey on November 18, 2025.
Benni McCarthy’s team suffered a defeat at the Mardan Stadium, where the Lions of Teranga excelled in every aspect of the match, prompting a thorough self-examination by the coaching staff.
By the interval, Kenya had conceded six goals, and the previous African champions scored another two in the second half of the heavily one-sided friendly match. Following the loss, Hussein Mohammed confessed to the embarrassment, describing it as a wake-up call for both the federation and the coaching staff.
Bearing the burden of the cross.
To be frank, today is not shaping up to be a good day at the office. Today’s games have served as a wake-up call for us. Mohammed noted that competing against the world’s top requires a deliberate investment in both a professional technical team and comprehensive player development programs.
Hussein Mohammed went on to vow that the national men’s senior football team will rise from the ashes. “We have no excuses.” I am sorry for these results. We will repair it. He said they will review policies, operational procedures, and key performance indicators for all staff, beginning with grassroots teams and progressing to every national team.
Hussein Mohammed had earlier given both Harambee Stars and their U17 counterparts a motivational message, urging the young players to proudly represent their country with confidence and unity in their journey to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations U17.
Hussein recalled the team’s hard work that had gotten them this far. “Good luck is wished to the Junior Stars as they start their U-17 AFCON qualifiers against Somalia today.” The statement indicated that your hard work and determination have brought you this far; it is now time to put in the work.
Throughout its history, Harambe Stars has experienced a mix of exhilarating triumphs and devastating setbacks that still weigh heavily on the minds of its devoted fan base. A comprehensive 8-0 defeat against Senegal has rekindled painful memories and prompted local football enthusiasts to revisit some of the nation’s most embarrassing international performances.
