KASARANI STADIUM,Nairobi, 10th August-10-Man Harambee Stars have silenced Morocco 1-0 in an epic Total Energies CAF CHAN 2024 tie played at the Moi International Sports Centre Nairobi today.
Wesley Ogam opened the scoreline in the 42nd minute after he outmanoeuvred two Atlas defenders to drive a left-footed low ferocious shot to the bottom of the net past surprised Morocco’s Al Harrar goalkeeper.
Erambo’s Red Card
Shortly, in the 47th minute Chrispine Erambo was given a red card after a tackle on his opponent outside the penalty box.
Erambo’s foul saw Kenya suffer two successive red cards in two consecutive games in the CHAN 2024 in the first half.
The early 3pm Group A kickoff saw Stars custodian Bryne Omondi forced to make a massive knee-save at the post for a goal-bound curled shot from the Atlas Lions free kick in the 7th minute.
Subsequently, in a fine run of play between the home team side, Sylvester Owino forced the Atlas Lions defenders to clear a thunderous shot for a corner.
The Benni McCarthy-led charges continued to press forward with Suleiman Manzur shot being blocked for a corner in the 32nd minute.
The Atlas Lions scared Stars in 46th minute when Youssef Mehri missed to score past goalie Omondi with the ball rolling out on the left after a neat pass from Anas Bach.
In the second half, Kenya’s coach McCarthy was shown a yellow card after a brief touchline spat.
Disallowed Penalty
Stars showed their intent to double the scores when Boniface Muchiri was fouled by Morocco’s Marouanne Louadni, and was awarded a penalty.
This decision was rescinded by the centre referee after consulting VAR.
The eventual foul-kick saw Wesley Ogam curl a left-footed beauty with Atlas defenders’ scrambled clearing header hitting the crossbar for a corner.
In the goal mouth melee, Atlas’ El Kaabi missed at close range and shot high over the bar after a right-footed back flick from Mehri.
In the 88th minute, Kenya’s left back Daniel Sakari nearly doubled the lead when he circled Morocco’s defenders to unleash a rasping shot which was parried away by the Moroccan goalie.
The local home grown talent tightly clutched to their lead against the frustrated Morocco to earn the precious three point and top Group A with seven points.
Mourihno Lessons
In a post match interview, coach McCarthy said that he applied defensive tactics he learnt from renowned Portuguese tactician Jose Mourinho.
“If you remember, I played under a certain coach, José Mourinho, who was a master of the art of defending. Playing with 10 men is hard, but Mourinho managed it perfectly, like it was an everyday thing. If you are in the lead, you protect it at all costs. That is the art I learnt from José.”
Harambee Stars will next face Zambia’s Chipolopolo in their final group match on 17th August at the same venue.
Meanwhile, co-host Tanzania booked a berth into the quarters finals after humbling Madagascar 2-1 at the Benjamin Mkapa International Stadium.
Taifa Stars has been on a winning streak of three CHAN matches by defeating (Burkina Faso 2-0), and (Mauritania 1-0), thus bagging nine points.
Uganda earned three points after defeating Guinea 3-0 to register their first CHAN 2024 tournament win on Friday.
They were mauled by Algeria’s Carthage Lions by a similar margin in their opening duel.
