Kenya’s Harambee Stars thrashed Seychelles 5-0 on Tuesday, September 9, at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani, in a 2026 World Cup qualifier.
Ryan Ogam scored for Kenya in the 7th and 38th minutes, while Collins Sichenje added another in the 35th minute. Michael Olunga then netted in first-half stoppage time (45+5) and the 67th minute to extend the lead.
The Harambee Stars have been inconsistent in Group F, with just one win from seven matches. They face a Seychelles side enduring a nightmare qualifying campaign, with zero points from seven games and 34 goals conceded.
Both teams are already out of contention for a place in the World Cup. Kenya lost 3-1 to Gambia at Kasarani on Friday, officially ending their hopes in Group F, but the Stars will be keen to bounce back with a win.
Here is the timeline of the Kenya vs Seychelles match as it unfolded:
Full Time: Kenya 5-0 Seychelles
90′ Four minutes added extra time
89′ Throw in ball for Stars
83′ Seychelles makes three subs
75′ Throw in ball for Seychelles
74′ Stanley Omondi tries to net in, goal goes overboard
73′ Kibwage in, Olunga out, Bandi in, Rooney Onyango out
67′ Michael Olunga scores his second goal for Harambee Stars, assist by Rooney Onyango. Kenya 5-0 Seychelles
58′ Stanley, Muchiri, Nabwire in, Abuya, Job and Lenkupae out
57′ Free kick for Kenya after Olunga is fouled
51′ Yellow card for Lenkupae
50′ Corner for Kenya
49′ Throw in ball for Kenya
48′ Corner for Seychelles
46′ Second half kicks off
Halftime’ Kenya 4-0 Seychelles
45+5 Olunga converts a penalty to make it 4-0 for the Stars
45+ 2 Kenya are awarded a penalty after a push on Ogam inside the penalty area
45′ Ryan Ogam misses opportunity to score, two minutes added extra time
38′ Ogam scores again for Kenya Kenya 3-0 Seychelles
35′ Collins Sichenje nets for Stars, assist by Abuya. Kenya 2-0 Seychelles
33’Free kick for Stars
32′ Throw in for Harambee Stars, Seychelles Captain Fanchette
30′ Yellow card for Seychelles’ Fred after fouling Onyango, free kick for Kenya
29′ Throw in ball for Kenya
28′ Throw in ball for Seychelles
26’Yellow card foe Seychelles’ Raherinianina
24′ Free kick for Seychelles
23′ Throw in ball for Seychelles
19′ Seychelles goalkeeper Barra saves a shot on target
18′ Free kick for Kenya after Olunga is fouled
16′ Ogam tries to score but fails to control the ball
15′ Corner for Kenya
12′ Kenya 1-0 Seychelles
8’Lenkupae tries to score for Harambee Stars but the Seychelles defense makes an impressive stop.
7′ Ryan Ogam scores for Kenya, assist by Abuya Kenya1-0 Seychelles
5″ Harambee Stars gets a free kick after Ogam is fouled
4′ Kenya tries to score but it is ruled offside
3′ Harambee Stars gets throw ball
1′ Kenya vs Seychelles Match Kicks off at Kasarani
Kenya lineup vs Seychelles
Michael Olunga and Ryan Ogam have been named in the starting XI, while Boniface Muchiri will start on the bench. Sylvester Owino and Lenkupae are also in the first 11.
Starting XI
- Bwire
-
Sichenje
-
S. Owino
-
R. Onyango
- Manzur
- Onyango
- Abuya
- Lenkupae
-
Olunga (C)
-
Ogam
-
Job
Substitutes
- Shikhalo
- B. Omondi
- Kibwage
- Bandi
- Odada
- Nabwire
- Stanley
- Osoro
- Ouma
- Muchiri
Seychelles Starting XI
-
R. Barra (GK)
-
J. Elisha Riaz
-
D. M. Fanchette
-
B. Labrosse
-
L. Hoareau
-
J. Joubert
-
D. Mothé
-
W. Mellie
-
J. H. Ravignia
-
I. Raheriniaiana
-
V. Fred
Head coach Benni McCarthy urged focus and respect for their opponents despite Seychelles’ struggles:
“We don’t take for granted who we play against. Tomorrow (Tuesday), we will be very well prepared and ready to take the game to them. Depending on what Seychelles stands up to, that will determine the result, but for us, nothing but a win will do.”
“In football, I have learnt not to underestimate any opponent, no matter what the results from previous matches have shown.”
Also Read: Harambee Stars Dealt a Double Blow Ahead of Seychelles Match
The Stars will be without two key defenders. Captain Abud Omar is suspended following disciplinary issues picked up in the qualifiers, depriving the team of an experienced leader at the back.
Additionally, Gor Mahia centre-back Alphonse Omija, who had been integral to the squad, left camp to finalize a move to a Tunisian club.
“I okayed it because it was an opportunity for him to join a good club in Tunisia. I saw what this player did at CHAN, and it was the right thing for me to do. Missing the medical could have cost him the opportunity,” McCarthy explained.
Earlier, the South African coach had warned against complacency in the squad, emphasizing that every position is open for competition.
“If you don’t want to work hard, I will send you back home. There are many other players who want this opportunity, so those who have it must work hard to keep their place,” he said.
Also Read: Full-Time: Gambia Thrashes Harambee Stars 3-1 at Kasarani Stadium
On the other side, Seychelles coach Ralph Jean-Louis vowed that his team will not go down without a fight. He revealed that he has studied McCarthy’s tactics.
“I have observed the Kenyan matches and we know tactically they play long balls to target players. We will see how to counter this tomorrow,” Jean-Louis told reporters on Monday.
He admitted, however, that it will be a tough challenge for his young squad. “We have four players under the age of 17, so you can imagine it is a very young team. Our main objective is to prepare for the Indian Ocean Island Games,” he added.
Meanwhile, in Group F’s decisive clash, Gabon will take on Côte d’Ivoire in what is effectively the “final” of the group. The Panthers are aiming for top spot, while Emerse Faé’s men need at least a draw to retain their lead.
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