Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea: Benni McCarthy Faces Setback in Friendly

Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea ended in disappointment for Harambee Stars and their coach Benni McCarthy, as a 1-0 defeat in Turkey raised questions about squad selection and future prospects for the Kenyan national team.

Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea: A Tough Night in Turkey

Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea was highly anticipated, especially after initial plans to face Madagascar and Comoros shifted, putting Equatorial Guinea and Senegal on Kenya’s schedule for the international break. Playing at the Emir Complex in Turkey, Harambee Stars arrived with cautious optimism, having recently secured two wins in their last five outings.

Despite creating several promising opportunities, Kenya was unable to break the deadlock. Jonah Ayunga, leading the line up front, found himself in a prime position just 15 minutes in but couldn’t convert. The forward’s partnership with Ryan Ogam and Boniface Muchiri posed some problems for the Equatorial Guinea defense, yet Muchiri’s wayward finishing squandered another golden chance.

Penalty Decides the Game

The match’s pivotal moment arrived just before halftime. Rooney Onyango’s mistimed challenge on Josete Miranda resulted in a penalty, which Miranda confidently converted to give Equatorial Guinea the lead. Kenya attempted to rally in the second half, with Austin Odhiambo coming close after being picked out by Onyango, but his shot drifted wide.

Despite their persistence and improved attacking intent after the break, the Harambee Stars could not find an equalizer. The defeat marked the first meeting between these two sides since 2018, when Kenya had triumphed 1-0 with a goal from Piston Mutamba.

McCarthy’s Squad Choices Under Scrutiny

A notable storyline from this Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea clash was the absence of captain Michael Olunga. Benni McCarthy’s decision to omit the prolific striker—just one goal shy of the national team’s all-time scoring record—sparked debate among fans and pundits. Instead, McCarthy handed a debut to Kevin Otiende, Nairobi United’s promising left-back, signaling a focus on grooming new talent for coming campaigns.

Gor Mahia’s Mike Kibwage was the only player from the 2018 victory to feature in the latest squad, underscoring a period of transition and experimentation under McCarthy.

Equatorial Guinea Gears Up For AFCON

While Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea was a chance for Harambee Stars to rebuild and test new combinations ahead of the 2027 AFCON, for the Central Africans it served as vital preparation for the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco. Drawn into Group E alongside Algeria, Burkina Faso, and Sudan, Equatorial Guinea face a formidable task. They open against Burkina Faso on December 24, play Sudan on December 28, and finish the group stage against Algeria on December 31.

Kenya, meanwhile, will miss the upcoming AFCON tournament after failing to qualify. The Harambee Stars also missed out on the 2026 World Cup, making their co-hosting of the 2027 AFCON with Uganda and Tanzania their primary target.

What’s Next for Benni McCarthy and Kenya?

The pressure now mounts on Benni McCarthy as his side prepares to face Senegal in another friendly at Mardan Stadium on November 18. A positive result is vital to restore confidence and answer critics who questioned recent selection decisions. With Kenya’s focus now on building a competitive squad for the 2027 AFCON, McCarthy must strike a balance between nurturing young talent and leveraging the experience of established stars like Olunga.

For more news and comprehensive updates on the Harambee Stars and African football, visit for more news.

Opinion: Time for Reflection and Reset

Kenya vs Equatorial Guinea was a stern test for Benni McCarthy and his evolving squad. While the defeat will sting, especially amid scrutiny over Olunga’s omission, it offers a chance to re-evaluate tactics and personnel ahead of crucial future fixtures. Building for the long term means accepting short-term setbacks, and Kenya’s real test will be how they learn and adapt in the run-up to the 2027 AFCON.