Harambee Stars stormed back to winning ways on Tuesday evening, hammering Seychelles 5-0 in a lively Group F 2026 World Cup qualifier at Moi Stadium, Kasarani.
The Stars, wounded by Gambia’s 3-1 sting, rose from the ashes to dismantle the Indian Ocean archipelago.
Head coach Benni McCarthy lauded his players for a ruthless display, while Seychelles coach Ralph Jean-Louis admitted his young side was simply outclassed.
Coming into the match under pressure after a disappointing 3-1 defeat to The Gambia on Friday, Kenya needed an emphatic response — and they delivered in style before home fans.
McCarthy, the fiery South African tactician, called it “the perfect response” after the stumble against Gambia. The visitors left humbled yet defiant, their youthful side bloodied but unbowed.
It took just seven minutes for the evening to catch fire. Ryan Ogam latched onto Duke Abuya’s clever pass and rolled the ball home with the coolness of a seasoned hitman. The stands erupted.
In the 35th minute, Collins Sichenje — the midfield enforcer turned artist — struck the second, again off Abuya’s industrious build-up.
Three minutes later, Ogam, red-hot and restless, tore through Seychelles’ backline for his second of the evening.
Then came Michael Olunga, the captain, the talisman, the one who carries Kenya’s hopes like a sacred burden. Just before the break, he thundered home the fourth, before sealing the night with a fifth — a dagger slid into the soft heart of Seychelles’ resistance.
“After the loss to Gambia, I challenged my players to react, and they showed today what Harambee Stars can really do,” McCarthy told reporters after the match. “The pressing, the energy, the finishing—everything was perfect. This was the response of a team with pride.”
The South African tactician could not hide his delight at how quickly his side settled into the game.
“We played with hunger from the first whistle,” McCarthy said. “Ogam is proving to be a rising star, Olunga is a leader who always steps up, and the midfield worked tirelessly. As a coach, you can’t ask for more than this.”
He also credited the Kasarani faithful for lifting the team. “The crowd was fantastic. They sang for 90 minutes. That energy filtered into the players. Kenya showed today that football here is alive and passionate.”
On the opposite bench, Ralph Jean-Louis acknowledged that his team was no match for the hosts.
“We knew it would be difficult,” Jean-Louis admitted. “Kenya wanted to impress their spectators after the defeat to Gambia, and we were facing a team with physicality, speed, and a very clear attacking plan. They deserved their victory.”
The Seychelles coach had studied Harambee Stars closely and even predicted their style. “I observed the Kenyan matches and I knew they like to play long balls to their target players. We tried to prepare for that, but sometimes quality just beats preparation,” he explained.
He highlighted the youth in his squad. “We had four players under the age of 17. For us, the bigger picture is to prepare a team for the Indian Ocean Island Games. This was always going to be a learning experience.”
Still, he insisted his players fought bravely despite the scoreline. “We went down fighting. I cannot fault the effort of my boys. Kenya were just too strong.”
by TONY MBALLA
