Harambee Stars edged two-time champions Morocco 1-0 in their third Group A outing at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), moving to the brink of a historic quarter-final qualification in their debut appearance at the tournament.
Ryan Ogam delivered the decisive moment in the 42nd minute, guiding the ball home just before the break to send the packed Moi International Sports Centre into raptures.
The goal was the product of a disciplined tactical approach masterminded by head coach Benni McCarthy, who drew on lessons learned during his playing days under Portuguese coaching icon José Mourinho.
Kenya’s celebrations were cut short moments later when VAR intervened to upgrade Chrispine Erambo’s challenge to a straight red card in first-half stoppage time, forcing the hosts to defend their slender lead with ten men for the entire second half.
“Believe me, I’d have been happy to finish with 11 men. Unfortunately, however, it’s two games on the bounce. More unluckily today — the player went to clear the ball, completely missed it, and struck the Moroccan player on the shin. It was an accident.
The rules are that if the referee thinks it’s an accident, the player should just get a caution. But because we were 1–0 up, they felt it was only fitting to send him off,” McCarthy said.
It was a case of déjà vu for the Harambee Stars. In their 1-1 draw against Angola just three days earlier, midfielder Marvin Nabwire had also been sent off after a VAR review turned an initial yellow card into a red in the 21st minute.
On both occasions, McCarthy’s side relied on resolute defending and a string of spectacular saves from goalkeeper Bryne Omondi to survive long stretches with a man less.
The South African coach, who won the Champions League with Mourinho’s Porto, admitted that the Portuguese tactician’s methods were still fresh in his mind.
“I played under a certain manager — José Mourinho — the master of such game management. To play with 10 players is hell, but we used to do it as if it was routine. I learned the trade from him: where to tighten, who to sacrifice,” McCarthy said in a post-match interview.
That game management was on full display against Morocco. Kenya shut down attacking spaces, frustrated their opponents, and executed defensive blocks with military precision.
McCarthy even sacrificed an attacker to reinforce the midfield, ensuring that every player adapted to whatever role the situation demanded.
“It’s not always neat for the fans, but you cling on to your lead at any cost. Defenders may be required to do midfielders’ or strikers’ work. That’s what I learned from José — when you lose a player, you send off a striker, keep one workhorse up front, and the others ‘park the bus’ (or in our case, park a train and a bus in front!),’ McCarthy jested.
The strategy paid off perfectly. Omondi pulled off key saves to deny Morocco’s forwards, while the rest of the side absorbed relentless pressure without cracking. Combined with their earlier 1-0 win over DR Congo and a draw against Angola, the result lifted Kenya to seven points from three matches.
“It’s come in handy these last two games, but I’m praying that against Zambia — no yellow cards, no red cards, please,” McCarthy added with a smile, knowing that while Mourinho’s influence had been vital, avoiding unnecessary dismissals would make the road ahead far smoother.