10-man Harambee Stars beat Morocco 1-0 at Kasarani

By Newsflash Team

Harambee Stars produced a gutsy display to edge Morocco 1-0 in their third Group A fixture of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, despite playing nearly half the match with 10 men.

Kenya came into the clash with four points from two games, while Morocco, who had only featured once, were fresh from a 2-0 triumph over Angola. The early stages were evenly matched, with both teams seeking a quick opener.

In the 7th minute, Morocco tested from a free kick, but goalkeeper Bryne Omondi—trusted by coach Benni McCarthy—collected calmly. Kenya countered almost immediately through Captain Mike Kibwage, Ryan Wesley Ogam, and Boniface Muchiri, though the latter was flagged offside.

Ogam strikes for the lead

The breakthrough arrived in the 41st minute when Muchiri delivered a pass to Ben Stanley Omondi inside the box. Though Stanley initially lost control, the ball fell kindly to Ogam, who showed composure to beat his marker and slot past the Moroccan goalkeeper.

Kenya then tightened defensively, with Kibwage organising the backline and Lewis Bandi making a vital block to deny an equaliser.

Just before half-time, drama ensued as a VAR review led to Chrispine Erambo’s red card for a foul—Kenya’s second dismissal of the tournament after Marvin Nabwire’s against Angola. Reduced to 10 men, Kenya faced a tough second half.

Holding firm under pressure

Morocco pressed hard after the restart, but Bandi’s defensive heroics and Omondi’s safe handling kept them out. McCarthy was booked early in the half, and Kenya reshuffled with fresh legs—Alpha Chris Onyango, David Sakwa, Alphonse Omija, Abud Omar, and Daniel Sakari all coming on.

Despite Morocco’s late siege, disciplined defending preserved the lead, with Sakari even threatening to double the advantage in the closing moments. In the end, Harambee Stars held firm to claim all three points before a packed Kasarani, boosting their standing as strong Group B contenders and underlining their resilience under adversity.