Harambee Stars fail to beat Chad, but friendly matches a plus for Kenya
The match, head coach Benni McCarthy's third in charge, was an engaging contest on paper, with Chad holding their own against a side that is much higher up in ranking than they are.
Harambee Stars were held to a 0-0 draw by lowly ranked Chad in their international friendly match at the Marrakech Stadium Annexe in Morocco on Saturday evening.
The match, head coach Benni McCarthy's third in charge, was an engaging contest on paper, with Chad holding their own against a side that is much higher up in ranking than they are.
Kenya is ranked 111, with Chad 177 in the latest FIFA rankings.
The South African tactician, who took charge of his third match since his appointment, had previously overseen a 3-3 draw with The Gambia and a 2-1 home loss to Gabon in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
This match was organised as part of Kenya’s preparations for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), set to be held in East Africa between 2 and 30 August this year.
It was an opportunity to test locally based talent, and the coach got his way.
With captain Michael Olunga and playmaker Mohamed Bajaber unavailable, South Africa-based defender Brian Mandela wore the armband, while William Lenkupae and Adam Wilson began the match from the onset as they aim to cement their places in the squad.
Lenkupae and striker Moses Shumah had the best opportunities on the night to score, but they were both denied by Chad Keeper Jordan Mbainais.
Brian Bwire in the Kenyan goal was also called into action in the second half to deny Thiam Mahamat as the match ended in a 0-0 draw.
"These friendlies are good for the technical bench to gauge the team and build connections ahead of CHAN. All players will get opportunities to show what they can do," McCarthy said of the friendly tests earlier.
The two teams meet at the same venue on Tuesday in a second clash that will most likely see plenty of changes made to the playing squads.
Kenya's Full squad in Morocco
Goalkeepers: Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikalo, Sepstianos Wekesa
Defenders: Brian Mandela, Alphoce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Siraj Mohammed, Abud Omar, Daniel Sakari, Swaleh Pamba, Lewis Bandi
Midfielders: Brian Musa, Alpha Onyango, Austine Odhiambo, Ben Stanley Omondi, Boniface Muchiri, William Lenkupae, Adam Wilson, James Kinyanjui, David Sakwa
