Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, were once again left frustrated in front of goal after playing out a 0-0 draw with Chad in an international friendly on Saturday at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.
The result extended new head coach Benni McCarthy’s winless run to three matches since taking charge of the team in March 2023. The former South African international, appointed to lead Kenya into a new era, has so far overseen a 3-3 draw with Gambia and a 2-1 defeat to Gabon in World Cup qualifiers before this latest stalemate.
Strong Start but Same Old Story
Despite missing several key players, McCarthy named a competitive starting XI, placing Brian Bwire in goal, shielded by a backline of Daniel Sakari, Aboud Omar, Alphonse Omija, and Brian Mandela. The midfield trio of Alpha Onyango, Brian Musa, and Boniface Muchiri took control of the engine room, while William Lenkupae, operating behind Adam Wilson and Moses Shumah, was tasked with providing the creative spark.
Kenya began brightly and looked eager to grab an early goal. Their first real chance came in the sixth minute when Shumah rose to meet a cross, but his header went narrowly wide. The pressure continued, and in the 12th minute, Lenkupae was brought down at the edge of the box by Chad defender Ahmad Ngouyamsa, earning the latter a yellow card.
Brian Musa stepped up for the resulting free-kick and picked out Muchiri, who connected with a first-time volley but sent it over the bar. Five minutes later, Kenya came close again. A sharp combination between Shumah and Muchiri led to Lenkupae being set through on goal, but Chad goalkeeper Jourdain Mbaynassem produced a fantastic save to deny him.
Chad Slowly Settle
After weathering the early storm, Chad began to find their rhythm midway through the first half. A quick counterattack in the 24th minute saw Mbaynassem launch a move that reached William Damba, who found Sindou Yeo in space. The Moroccan-based midfielder fired a powerful shot on target, but Bwire was equal to the task.
Yeo was later booked for a foul on Muchiri, but Chad grew more confident. In the 30th minute, Mahamat Thiam’s through-ball split the Kenyan defence, finding Casimir Ninga. The experienced striker dribbled past Mandela but failed to trouble Bwire with a weak finish.
Kenya responded immediately. Muchiri beat his marker on the left and squared the ball to Adam Wilson, but the Bradford City winger missed a golden opportunity, firing wide from close range.
The chances kept coming for Harambee Stars. Sakari’s long throw from the right caused panic in the Chad box, but Shumah couldn’t keep his header on target. Then, just before the break, Lenkupae was pulled back by Felix Noubara as he advanced towards goal. Kenyan players and the bench screamed for a penalty, but the referee ignored the appeals and waved play on.
Despite dominating possession and having more chances, Kenya went into the break locked at 0-0 with Chad.
Kenya Dominate, Chad Hold On
Just like the first half, Kenya came out of the tunnel pressing high and forcing Chad deep into their own half. Muchiri continued to be a threat on the left wing, while Lenkupae kept finding space between the lines.
In the 52nd minute, Lenkupae won a free-kick after being fouled outside the box. Omar floated the ball into the area, and Muchiri attempted to meet it with a flick, but Haroun Abakar Khamis was alert to clear the danger for Chad.
Chad had their best chance of the second half in the 60th minute. Ali Mahamat Adam dribbled past two Kenyan defenders and unleashed a low drive that beat Bwire, only to miss the post by inches.
Two minutes later, Kenya almost found the breakthrough. Lenkupae broke through the Chad defence and found himself one-on-one with Mbaynassem. He attempted an audacious chip over the onrushing keeper, but Mbaynassem reacted quickly to backpedal and clear the ball just before it crossed the line.
McCarthy’s men continued to pile on the pressure, but they simply could not convert their chances. Crosses flew in from both flanks, and long balls were pumped into the box, but the Chad defence stood firm and refused to buckle under pressure.
FT
Chad 0-0 Kenya #HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/xjN7iVVzVD
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) June 7, 2025
Frustration Grows as Winless Run Extends
The 0-0 draw means Kenya have now gone three games without a win under McCarthy. While the team showed positive signs in terms of energy, structure, and chance creation, the lack of clinical finishing remains a major concern ahead of their upcoming assignments.
Saturday’s match was part of Kenya’s preparations for the 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which they will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania in August. The friendly also offered McCarthy a chance to assess fringe players and experiment with tactics ahead of the tournament.
Kenya and Chad will face off again on Tuesday, June 10, at the same venue in Morocco.
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