Greg . 2 days ago

Kenya’s McCarthy credits Mourinho on playing with 10-men after Morocco CHAN win

Kenya national team lead coach Benni McCarthy has clarified how playing under José Mourinho during his time at FC Porto motivated Harambee Stars to secure a vital 1-0 victory against Morocco in their Group A fixture of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

Playing their third CHAN match under a sold-out crowd, Kenya produced a statement result over the two-time champions despite playing the entire second half with 10 men.

After Ryam Ogam put Harambee Stars ahead in the 42nd minute, they were compelled to protect the lead with remarkable resolve after Chrispine Erambo’s red card - upgraded by VAR in first-half stoppage time - left the East African nation with 10 men.

Erambo, who plays locally for Tusker FC and was among the new players handed starting roles by McCarthy, possessed initially been reserved for a foul on Anas El Mahraoui, only for VAR to upgrade the decision to a straight red card.

However, despite the sending off, Kenya defied the odds to terminate Morocco’s unbeaten CHAN record, and take control of Group A.

Goalkeeper Bryne Omondi produced superb saves to refuse Morocco, who opened with a 2-0 beat of Angola and reached on a 14-match unbeaten CHAN run, and was named the man of the match at the final whistle.

This was the second game Kenya was playing with 10 men at CHAN under McCarthy.

Against Angola, Kenya saw midfielder Marvin Nabwire sent off just moments after Austin Odhiambo possessed scored from the penalty spot to cancel out Jo Paciencia's opener for the Palancas Negras.

‘I learnt the trades and tricks working with Mourinho’The former Bafana Bafana striker, played for Porto under Mourinho between 2003 and 2006 where he managed to score 46 goals from 85 appearances.

For the 2003-04 Primeira Liga season, he acquired the Golden Boot grant (with 20 goals in 23 matches) on the season's final matchday with a hat-trick, and was instrumental in Porto's run in the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League, which they won.

McCarthy scored two goals against Manchester United to beat them in the second round.

According to McCarthy, playing under the Portuguese manager assisted him to understand how to manage difficult situations where a team is reduced to 10 men.

“I’m not sure if you remember, I played under a certain coach, José Mourinho was the master of that,” McCarthy told reporters after the game.

“As a player playing in a team that plays with 10 men, I’m telling you, it is hell.

It is hell, but we used to manage it perfectly like it was our everyday thing.

“You know, like we were a team that played with 10 men instead of 11.

So I’ve learned the trades and the tricks of working with Mourinho, where you adjust, and who do you sacrifice.

"And unfortunately, it’s not going to be pretty for the fans because they want to see attacking football.

But then you think over what is most important to protect your goals.

If you are in the lead, you protect at all costs.

”He concluded: “Sometimes defenders have to play midfield jobs or striker jobs, and that was the art that I’ve learned playing under José.

”The win put Kenya on the verge of a historic quarter-final place, while Morocco’s hopes of advancing now rest on recovering in their final two group matches against Zambia and DR Congo.

Dennis MabukaBetopick