Greg . 2 days ago

10-man Kenya produce brilliant show to stun Morocco at 2024 CHAN

Kenya national team Harambee Stars produced a superb show despite going one man down in the first half stoppage to beat favourites Morocco 1-0 in their third match of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

Kenya, who moved into the fixture unbeaten, having beaten DR Congo 1-0 and managed a 1-1 sketch against Angola despite playing with 10 men, acquired from a goal from Ryam Ogam in the 45th minute to take their tally of points in Group A to seven and one foot away from the knockout stages.

However, they were compelled to play the entire second half with 10 men after Chrispine Erambo possessed been sent off.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy made a bold statement by benching several regulars from the side that confronted Angola, including captain Aboud Omar, right-support Daniel Sakari, Alphonce Omija, midfield maestro Austin Odhiambo, who possessed scored against two-time CHAN champions DR Congo in the opener, and against Angola, and Alpha Onyango.

In their positions, the South African legend opted for a mix of fresh legs and tactical reshuffles.

Siraj Mohammed came in at right-support, Mike Kibwage returned as the captain to partner Sylvester Owino in central defence, and Lewis Bandi, while Erambo was slotted into midfield.

Ben Stanley Omondi started in the playmaker role, while Tusker forward Ryan Ogam replaced Austin Odhiambo, adding a more direct attacking threat for Harambee Stars.

Kenya survived an early scareKenya survived an early scare in the 10th minute when Kibwage bundled down Morocco’s Anas El Mahraoui outside the 18-yard area.

Imad Riahi stepped up to take the free-kick, and the RS Berkane midfielder whipped in a sumptuous ball which establish Khalid Aït Ouarkhane unmarked at the far post.

Ouarkhane responded with a powerful header that struck the support of goalkeeper Bryne Omondi and the post, before Kibwage came to the rescue to clear the danger with forward Ayoub Mouloua almost pulling the trigger.

Kenya’s first chance of the game reached in the 15th minute after a corner handed over by Stanley Omondi establish Boniface Muchiri at the far post, but he was flagged down before he could struck the ball for fouling Anas Bach, who moved down and needed medical attention following the challenge.

The move by Kenya came after the Atlas Lions, who moved into the Group A game unbeaten in five previous encounters with East African opposition (three wins, two draws), possessed been compelled to make an early substitution, with harmed Mouloua coming out for Youness El Kaabi.

Morocco’s Bouchaib Arrassi was the first player to be reserved following a clumsy foul on Ogam in the 30th minute.

From the resultant foul, Kenya almost shattered the deadlock when Suleiman Okwaro unleashed a powerful shot from outside the box, but it struck a deflection off a Morocco player for a fruitless corner.

Ogam put Kenya ahead against run of playKenya took the lead against the run of play when Stanley Omondi’s shot was obstructed by Marouane Louadni, but the rebound dropped to Ogam, and despite facing six Moroccan players, he sneaked a left-footed effort past El Mehdi Al Harrar to the delight of the huge crowd which possessed turned out to cheer on the side.

Two minutes later after going ahead, Kenya possessed a second player sent off in the CHAN in successive matches.

After midfielder Marvin Nabwire was sent off against Angola, Erambo, who was handed over in for his physicality, was sent off following a high boot tackle on El Mahraoui.

As Erambo walked off the pitch a dejected man, Burkina Faso referee Vincent Kabore struck the whistle for the half-time shatter with Kenya enjoying a 1-0 lead but with a man down.

At the start of the second half, McCarthy looked to the bench and sacrificed Edwin Omondi for Alpha Onyango following Erambo’s sending off.

Before the half could kick off, referee Kabore flashed a yellow card to McCarthy.

There was an anxious moment in the 56th minute when Muchiri received a pass on the right wing, dribbled through but moved down inside the box under what looked like a challenge from Louadni.

The referee granted a penalty, but after a VAR check, the decision was overturned with Kenya getting a foul from outside the box.

This was Morocco’s third match against a tournament host, having beaten Rwanda 4-1 in 2016 and Cameroon 4-0 in the 2020 semi-finals.

Kenya become the 18th different team to confront Morocco at CHAN and the fourth from East Africa.

Check out the match summary here.

Dennis MabukaBetopick