Senegal humiliation and 5 Harambee Stars memorable moments in 2025
By Kiplagat Sang, December 20, 2025Harambee Stars had a run of games across various competitions in the year.
Although they managed to register positive memorable moments on a number of occasions, on some occasions, they embarrassed themselves and the nation at large.
As the year comes to a close, People Daily Digital looks at some moments that are negatively or positively memorable.
CHAN finals
As Kenya hosted the continental showpiece for the first time, the players managed to represent the country in a way that can be described as impressive.
Beating Morocco, the eventual champions, and advancing to the quarter-finals were in themselves memorable moments.
Although they were numerically disadvantaged against the continental heavyweights after Chrispine Erambo was sent off, Kenya held their nerves and finally recorded a 1-0 win.
Showdown against Madagascar
Harambee Stars fought with determination as the country, from across all walks of life, supported them.
The quarter-final duel was a dopamine-hitting, high-octane game; Kenya took the lead in the 48th minute when Alphonce Omija scored with an assist from Bonface Muchiri.
Madagascar fought back and equalised in the 68th minute, and with no one able to score a match-winning goal, the game entered extra time and eventually penalty shootouts.
Madagascar prevailed, but Kenya’s fighting spirit was tangible and was there for everyone to see.
World Cup chance squandered
There was palpable hope that Kenya could qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals, but in the end it remained just that: hope.
With an experienced tactician at the helm, the country’s ambition doubled when Benni McCarthy was appointed as head coach.
During his playing time, McCarthy won the UEFA Champions League and was a successful star in Portugal during his days with Porto.
He arrived in Nairobi after parting ways with English heavyweights Manchester United, and the task ahead of him was to help Harambee Stars qualify for the World Cup.
In the end, Kenya finished fourth in their group; from the pool, Ivory Coast topped, Gabon was second and Gambia were third.
Kenya were a distant fourth, 14 points behind the group leaders and two points more than their CECAFA rivals Burundi, who finished fifth.
Senegal humiliation
Haarmbee Stars suffered an 8-0 defeat at the hands of former African champions, one of the worst defeats in history for the national team.
There is not much to write about it, but a simple summary, HUMILIATION, is enough.