Benni McCarthy’s wait for a first win as Kenya national team head coach continued on Saturday after the Harambee Stars were held to a goalless draw by Chad in an international friendly staged at the Stade de Marrakech in Morocco.
The South African tactician was overseeing his third match at the helm. McCarthy, a former Bafana Bafana striker, has now drawn two and lost one since taking over.
The result follows a 3-3 draw with Gambia and a 2-1 loss to Gabon during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Missing several key players, McCarthy made multiple adjustments, handing goalkeeper Brian Bwire a start behind a defence that included Brian Mandela and Aboud Omar.
The frontline featured Moses Shumah and Adam Wilson, with Boniface Muchiri and William Lenkupae supporting from midfield.
Kenya created the better chances in the first half, with Shumah going close early on and Muchiri blasting a free-kick opportunity over the bar.
Lenkupae, plying his trade in Australia, forced a fine save from Chad’s Jourdain Mbaynassem. Chad responded on the counter, with Sindou Yeo and Casimir Ninga threatening, but goalkeeper Bwire held firm.
The best chance of the first half fell to Wilson, who failed to convert from close range after an excellent setup by Muchiri. Kenya’s appeals for a penalty before the break were waved off after Lenkupae was pulled back in the box.
In the second half, Kenya again dominated possession, but wastefulness in front of goal persisted. Lenkupae was denied by Mbaynassem in a one-on-one, and Chad nearly punished Kenya at the other end through Ali Mahamat Adam, whose shot trickled just wide.
The two teams will meet again on Tuesday at the same venue as Kenya intensifies preparations for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship, which it will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
