Harambee Stars suffered their first defeat in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign after losing 1-0 to Guinea in Conakry on Thursday.
Serhou Guirassy scored the decisive goal in the 32nd minute at the 28 September Stadium, handing Guinea their first points in Group D after their opening 2-1 defeat to South Africa.
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Kenya, who had opened their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea, remain on one point from two matches but are already assured of a place at the 2027 finals as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The hosts started strongly and nearly broke the deadlock when Guirassy’s free-kick struck the woodwork, while Kenya created their first major opening in the 10th minute.
Micah Obiero broke through the Guinea defence but was denied by goalkeeper Mohamed Camara. Guinea continued to threaten before Guirassy eventually found the breakthrough, driving forward before beating the Kenyan defence and finishing to put the hosts ahead.
Byrne Omondi kept Kenya in the contest before the interval, making important saves to deny Abdoul Karim Traoré and Guirassy.
Coach Benni McCarthy introduced Ryan Ogam and Timothy Ouma at the start of the second half as Kenya searched for an equaliser. Ogam came close in the 55th minute, but Camara produced another crucial save.
McCarthy later brought on Sharif Musa and handed Javan Omondi his international debut, but Kenya could not find a way through.
The result leaves South Africa top of Group D on six points, followed by Guinea on three, while Kenya and Eritrea have one point each.
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