Michael Olunga Shares Cryptic Post After Harambee Stars’ 8-0 Humiliation by Senegal
Dropped Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has sparked fresh debate online after sharing a cryptic social media post just moments after Kenya’s national team suffered a staggering 8-0 defeat to Senegal in an international friendly on Monday.
The embarrassing loss—one of the heaviest in Kenya’s football history—was recorded at the Marmdan Sports Complex in Turkey, where the West African giants put on a ruthless display led by ex-Liverpool forward Sadio Mané.
Senegal Run Riot in Turkey
The Lions of Teranga showed their class from the onset, with Mané scoring a clinical hat-trick and Bayern Munich winger Nicolas Jackson adding a quick-fire brace within the first 35 minutes. Malick Diouf, Ibrahim Mbaye and Cherif Niaye completed the rout as Kenya struggled to contain the relentless Senegalese attack.
The defeat came just days after Kenya’s 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, capping off a disastrous international window for Benni McCarthy’s side.
Olunga’s Cryptic Message After Exclusion
Shortly after the final whistle, Olunga—who was not part of the squad—posted an old photo of himself relaxing in the Maldives, accompanied by Jack Harlow’s hit song First Class. The post immediately triggered speculation among fans, with many wondering whether it was a subtle reaction to his omission or a commentary on the team’s performance.
Olunga was unexpectedly dropped from the November friendlies despite being fully fit and actively featuring for his Qatari club, Al-Arabi.
Assistant coach Vasili Manousakis addressed the decision last week, explaining, “We wanted to give an opportunity to other players, especially in friendly matches where we can expand the squad and offer valuable national team experience.”
Is Olunga Being Used as a Scapegoat?
The striker’s absence has revived long-running claims among supporters that Olunga has often been unfairly blamed for Kenya’s poor results. Critics have frequently pointed to him whenever the team underperforms, a pattern also previously directed at former captain Victor Wanyama.
Monday’s crushing defeat, however, prompted many Kenyans to challenge that narrative, arguing that the team’s issues run deeper than individual players.
Kenneth Muguna Defends Senior Players
Former Gor Mahia midfielder Kenneth Muguna also entered the debate, criticising fans who have repeatedly called for the exclusion of senior squad members.
In a strongly worded statement on social media, Muguna wrote: “After our match against Gambia, fans questioned Coach Benni’s decision to include experienced players. Now you see why those players are important in the national team setup. Hate or love me, I’ll always be real.”
Olunga Shifts Focus Back to Club Duty
While the conversation continues online, Olunga has turned his attention back to club football. The Al-Arabi forward is expected to feature this weekend against Qatar SC in the Qatar Stars League, before the side faces Al Khor in the QSL Cup.
Al-Arabi currently sit seventh on the league table with 13 points from nine matches—nine points behind leaders Al Gharafa.
East African Banter Erupts
Kenya’s neighbours wasted no time reacting to the heavy defeat. Social media platforms were awash with cheeky jabs from Tanzanian and Ugandan fans, who mocked Harambee Stars’ performance in what many called “a dark day for Kenyan football.”
For now, the pressure shifts to McCarthy and his technical team as they attempt to regroup, address glaring weaknesses, and prepare the squad for upcoming competitive fixtures.
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Michael Olunga Shares Cryptic Post After Harambee Stars’ 8-0 Humiliation by Senegal