Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhiambo has hailed coach Benni McCarthy for a decisive tactical change that secured Kenya a vital win over Zambia and top spot in their CHAN 2024 group.
Kenya edged Zambia 1-0 on Sunday to finish first in a challenging Group A that also featured Morocco, DR Congo, and Angola. The result ensured Harambee Stars advanced against the odds, though the clash with Chipolopolo proved anything but straightforward.
Zambia frustrated the home side for long periods, holding firm at the back and threatening to claim a draw. A point would have dropped Kenya into second place, setting up a difficult quarter-final trip to Dar es Salaam against Tanzania.
McCarthy, however, shifted tactics in the second half, bringing on Masoud Juma and Boniface Muchiri. Juma’s partnership with Ryan Ogam immediately gave Kenya more attacking edge.
He first tested the Zambian goalkeeper with a free header from a Muchiri cross before turning provider, setting up Ogam to score the decisive goal. The win lifted Kenya to 10 points, one clear of Morocco, and guaranteed them a quarter-final at home.
“It is a good feeling and we will also be able to play our quarter-final here at home because we have topped the group. That is enough motivation and again next game we hope all fans will be in the stadium,” said Odhiambo.
“In the second half, the coach decided to go more direct with two strikers and luckily, we have a good team and the ones that came in gave us a win and that is all we were looking for,” he added, pointing to McCarthy’s tactical masterstroke.