National shame? Harambee Stars mauled 8-0 by Senegal's Lions of Teranga

In what will pass as a national shame of monumental proportion - an all-time low for Kenya’s football -Harambee Stars were on Tuesday evening torn apart by Senegal’s Lions of Teranga, losing 8–0 in an international friendly match in Antalya, Turkey.

The match was Kenya’s second in the FIFA international window this past week, coming after they fell 0–1 to Equatorial Guinea last Friday at the same venue.

But if one felt the defeat to Equatorial Guinea could have been avoided—Kenya conceded via a penalty—the events in Antalya on Tuesday left the football world reeling in shock.

The Stars, mediocre, outfoxed, and out-thought, spent the entire 90 minutes on the back foot and offered no resistance. They were unpicked in embarrassing fashion.

It was a comedy of errors - one after another -as torrents of goals came thick and fast.

Sadio Mané, Senegal’s talismanic forward, led from the front with a hat-trick, while Cherif Ndiaye also scored from the penalty spot as the goal party went on for Senegal, Africa’s second-best-ranked team after Morocco. Internationally, they occupy position 18, while Kenya languish at a dismal 109. Equatorial Guinea, who inflicted pain on Kenya on Friday, are placed 99.

Ibrahim Mbaye also joined the scoresheet, leaving Kenya thoughtless on the pitch, badly bruised, and with nowhere to hide.

The outcome was embarrassing, but it was not Kenya’s worst defeat. One of Kenya’s heaviest losses came at the hands of Ghana’s Black Stars - a 13–2 demolition - in 1962.

Tuesday’s result will, however, leave head coach Benni McCarthy under intense scrutiny. After performing beyond expectations at the African Nations Championship (CHAN), the Stars have been abysmal in recent outings, and it showed on this evening.

The South African tactician opted to start Brian Bwire between the posts, with Barone Ochieng, Alphonse Omija - one of CHAN’s standout players. Also in the mix was Sylvester Owino, and Bryton Otiendo marshalling the defence.

Not even the presence of veteran former Gor Mahia midfielder Anthony Akumu in the middle of the park could spare the Stars from humiliation.

They will now have to return to the drawing board and ask the hard questions.