Harambee Stars Dominate Seychelles with a 5-0 Victory in Final World Cup Qualifier

Kenya’s Harambee Stars finished their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with a commanding 5-0 victory over Seychelles at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Although both teams had already exited the qualification race, Kenya was determined to end on a high and put on a dominant display for the home crowd.

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Match Summary: From Early Control to Convincing Win

Right from the whistle, Harambee Stars controlled possession and dictated the tempo. Coach Benni McCarthy fielded a strong lineup featuring experienced leaders and promising talents ready to impress.

• The scoring opened early in the 7th minute when Ryan Ogam calmly finished off a well-worked move down the right flank, assisted by Duke Abuya.
• Kenya sustained relentless pressure, building on their lead in the 35th minute through center back Collins Sichenje, who rose to head in a precise cross at the back post.
• Just three minutes later, Ogam scored his second goal of the match with a cool finish inside the box after a clever pass from Michael Olunga, making it 3-0 before halftime.
• The captain, Michael Olunga, then converted a penalty in the 45+5th minute, sealing a 4-0 lead heading into the break.
• In the second half, Kenya maintained control, with Olunga grabbing his second goal in the 67th minute after a series of quick passes left the Seychelles defense exposed.

Seychelles struggled to counter Kenya’s fast and coordinated attacks. Despite their best defensive efforts, they were unable to contain the dominant Harambee Stars offense.

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Starting Lineup for Kenya

• Goalkeeper: Brian Bwire
• Defenders: Josephat Sichenje, Sylvester Owino, Rooney Onyango, Manzur Ochieng
• Midfielders: Tobias Onyango, Duke Abuya, William Lenkupae
• Forwards: Michael Olunga (Captain), Ryan Ogam, Job Ochieng

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Full Match Statistics

Statistic	Kenya	Seychelles
Goals	5	0
Shots on Target	7	1
Possession (%)	65	35
Corners	6	1
Fouls	12	14
Yellow Cards	1	2

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Player Ratings and Impact

• Brian Bwire (GK) – 7/10: Reliable and alert, commanding his area without major errors.
• Josephat Sichenje (CB) – 8/10: Strong defensively and pivotal in attack, scoring the second goal with a decisive header.
• Sylvester Owino (CB) – 7/10: Solid and consistent in defense, offering composure under pressure.
• Rooney Onyango (LB) – 7/10: Good overlaps and contributed both defensively and offensively.
• Manzur Ochieng (RB) – 7/10: Steady in defense with good passing accuracy.
• Tobias Onyango (CDM) – 7/10: Key disruptor in midfield, breaking up play efficiently.
• Duke Abuya (CM) – 8/10: Energetic and creative, he played a large role in supporting the attack and assisting the opener.
• William Lenkupae (CM) – 7/10: Controlled midfield rhythms and contributed defensively.
• Michael Olunga (ST) – 9/10: The captain’s leadership shone; clinical finishing earned him a brace including a penalty goal.
• Ryan Ogam (CF) – 9/10: Constant threat with pace and precision; a key factor in the victory with two goals.
• Job Ochieng (LW) – 7/10: Provided width and helped maintain attacking pressure consistently.

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Tactical Overview

Kenya’s strategy revolved around quick transitions and exploiting wide areas, with overlapping fullbacks creating numerous chances. The midfield trio controlled tempo, pressurized Seychelles into mistakes, and enabled forwards Olunga and Ogam to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Seychelles applied decent resistance early but were overwhelmed by Kenya’s superior technical and physical play.

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Reflections and Future Outlook

Despite being officially eliminated, Kenya ended their qualification on a positive note, demonstrating growth, depth, and attacking potential. Coach Benni McCarthy praised his players’ professionalism and vowed to build on the team’s strengths in preparation for upcoming AFCON qualifiers and regional tournaments.

Seychelles, while on the losing end, gained useful international experience that will be vital for their development.

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Closing Thoughts

The 5-0 win was a fitting way for Harambee Stars to show their quality and keep fans optimistic about the team’s direction. With young stars emerging and veterans like Olunga leading by example, Kenya’s football future looks promising.