Greg . 2 days ago

Ogam scores again as Kenya floor Zambia to finish top of 2024 CHAN group

Kenya national team Harambee Stars rounded off their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) group matches with a deserved 1-0 victory against Zambia at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.

After a 0-0 first half, Harambee Stars ensured they finished top of Group A after Ryan Ogam found the back of the net in the 75th minute, finishing off a cross from substitute Boniface Muchiri.

Having already booked their place in the knockout stages, Kenya went into the fixture knowing that only a win would guarantee them a top-place finish, which would give them the advantage of playing their quarter-final match on home soil.

The match statsBetopick A shaky startDespite knowing what was at stake, Kenya looked shaky in the opening minutes as Zambia almost took the lead with only five minutes played.

Kabaso Chongo, who plays for TP Mazembe, received a through ball on the right wing, but his shot took a deflection before rolling out for ca orner kick.

Kenya's response came almost immediately when Austin Odhiambo, who was returning to the starting XI having been benched in the 1-0 win against two-time CHAN champions Morocco, picked up a loose ball from the middle of play before putting through Ryam Ogam, but the Tusker forward saw his effort go inches wide.

In the 15th minute, Harambee Stars missed another sitter.

A free-kick delivered by Ben Stanley Omondi troubled Chipolopolo custodian Charles Kalumba, before defender Dominic Chanda reacted quickly to clear the danger with Ogam almost pulling the trigger.

Zambia midfielder Owen Tembo, who plays for champions Power Dynamos, became the first player to be booked in the 20th minute after a foul on Alpha Onyango.

Kenya began to completely dominate the game, exchanging passes and going on the attack, but they still lacked the cutting edge up front.

Zambia were provided with an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 40th minute.

At the edge of the box, Chipolopolo - under former Chelsea coach Avram Grant - had a free kick that could have been dangerous, but midfielder Prince Mumba hit it hard, straight at the goal and sent the ball over the crossbar.

Mumba’s effort became the best effort from either side as the two sides went into the half-time break still goalless.

At the start of the second period, Mumba was yellow-carded following a clumsy foul on Stanley Omondi.

The player ratingsBetopickKenya and Zambia ring the changesFive minutes later, Kelvin Mwanza committed a foul in midfield, receiving a yellow card for his aggressive challenge, before Kelvin Kampamba was also booked for arguing with the referee following that yellow.

Both teams went for a double change in the 56th minute, with Kenya’s Benni McCarthy resting Austin Odhiambo and Daniel Sakwa for Masoud Juma and Boniface Muchiri, while Zambia’s Mumba and Mwanza paved the way for Timothy Sichalwe and Kenneth Kasanga.

After the changes, both teams lost some of their rhythm, with neither posing as much of a threat in attack.

Zambia were awarded a free kick just outside the box, which Kampamba took, but it went over the goal again.

The introduction of Muchiri and Juma paid off for Kenya as they took the lead in the 75th minute.

Muchiri received a pass on the left from Juma, carried it into the middle and squared the pass to Ogam, who controlled it, turned in the area and unleashed a powerful shot, leaving no opportunity for Kalumba.

This was the 35th meeting between Kenya and Zambia, with the Copper Bullets historically dominant with 21 wins to Kenya’s six.

However, Kenya had triumphed in their most recent encounter, a 2-1 friendly in 2020.

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