Benni McCarthy secures biggest win as Kenya coach

Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy secured his biggest win since taking over Kenya as his team thrashed Seychelles 5-0 on Tuesday.

Kenya took on the African minnows at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi with McCarthy’s men looking to bounce back from Friday’s surprise 3-1 loss to The Gambia although the game had less meaning as both teams are out of contention for a place at the 2026 World Cup.

That did not deter Kenya, who came out of blocks quickly, with Austria-bound striker Ryan Ogam heading home the opening goal after seven minutes from a freekick delivered by Yanga midfielder Duke Abuya.

Olunga completes first half blitz

Kenya’s second goal arrived in the 35^th minute when Abuya brought in a great ball, this time from a corner, which was headed home by defender Collins Sichenje and three minutes later, Kenya were celebrating the third.

Abuya, impressive in the first half, sent in a long range shot that bounced off the bar and Ogam was in the box to head home the rebound before he played a key part in the fourth goal on the stroke of halftime.

Ogam won a penalty after a Seychelles defender left his hands on his face in an off the ball incident in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Qatar-based striker Michael Olunga stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to score his 33^rd goal for Kenya.

What next for Benni McCarthy’s Kenya?

After the break, McCarthy made three substitutes in a bid to freshen up the side but his team slowed down the tempo of the game.

The fifth goal would arrive after 67 minutes when Ronney Onyango brought in a delicious cross that was headed in by Olunga, who met it perfectly in the box, for his 33^rd goal which moves him joint second on the all-time list for Kenya.

It was a good day at the office for McCarthy who will hope to build onto it ahead of tough away matches to Burundi and Ivory Coast in October.