AFCON 2027: Harambee Stars To Face Senegal In Turkey

Harambee Stars to Face Senegal Ahead of AFCON 2027

Kenya’s senior men’s football team, the Harambee Stars, is scheduled to face Senegal in an international friendly on November 18, 2025, with the kickoff set for 6pm EAT in Antalya, Turkey, at the Mardan Sports Complex as part of the 2027 AFCON preps.

The fixture comes at the end of their November campaign in Turkey and serves as a vital platform to boost morale and test squad depth under the guidance of head coach Benni McCarthy.

Harambee Stars are in Turkey, scheduled to face Madagascar on November 14 and Comoros on either November 17 or 18, pending a decision from FIFA.

AFCON 2027 Preparations

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, the Bafana Bafana and Manchester United legend, since his signing on March 3, 2025, has embarked on a mission to revive the Kenya men’s national football team by blending experience with youthful talent in the squad.

His short span as the head coach has led to a new belief that Kenyan football can reach its peak again after a very impressive run in CHAN 2024, despite having a very limited time to engage with the squad.

McCarthy has chosen to utilise the November friendlies to integrate new faces and assess player potential.

Young talents like Aldrine Kibet (Celta Vigo B), Ovella Ochieng (Nairobi United), and Baron Ochieng (Zamalek) earned call-ups in Turkey, reflecting McCarthy’s long-term strategy for team evolution.

“I want to see hunger, speed and intelligence, and that is why players like Aldrine Kibet are here. He’s creative, disciplined and plays with purpose. He deserves this chance.”

A credible performance, even in defeat, would boost confidence and help McCarthy move forward with the squad’s evolution, as well as enhance Kenyan players’ appeal to overseas clubs.

Les Lions de la Teranga

The Senegal men’s national football team, nicknamed Les Lions de la Teranga, is one of the most formidable forces in African football.

Senegal is the current Africa Cup of Nations champions, having won the title in 2021.

They defeated Egypt 4–2 on penalties after a 0–0 draw in the final hosted in Cameroon.

With Senegal coming to the match as favourites, the match against Kenya will serve as a valuable test against a determined and potentially strong team, having qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The team first came to the global stage in 2002 when they qualified for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and defeated defending champions France in their opening match, before becoming the second African nation to reach the quarter-finals after Cameroon in 1990.

Senegal clearly knows the odds are on their side as their squad mostly includes world-class players like Sadio Mané, Ismaïla Sarr, Pap Sarr, Kalidou Koulibaly, and Nickolas Jackson.

Senegal’s forward line has been renowned for its lethal finishing, ensuring that every minute of this contest will demand focus and resilience from the Kenyan squad.

Also Read: Millions Harambee Starlets Will Earn After Qualifying WAFCON 2026

Before facing Kenya, Senegal will play an international friendly against Brazil in London at Wembley Stadium to rotate their squad and maintain sharpness ahead of AFCON 2025 preparations and their confirmed participation in the 2026 World Cup.

Harambee Stars Preparations and Squad

Harambee Stars currently rank 109th and aim to use the friendlies to form a more cohesive squad, identify areas that need improvement, and enhance their global ranking.

Coach Benni McCarthy named the full 24-man squad that will travel to Turkey on October 28.

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