CHAN 2024: 10-Man Harambee Stars Upset Morocco to Boost Quarter-Final Hopes
- Harambee Stars secured a massive 1-0 win over Morocco in their third CHAN 2024 match to inch closer to the quarter-final
- Kenya scored late in the first half and had to defend for most of the second half after another red card
- Benni McCarthy will have a week to prepare for their next match against Zambia, their final Group A match
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Harambee Stars take a big step towards the quarter-finals at CHAN 2024 after defeating Morocco on Sunday at Kasarani.
Source: Twitter
Kenya played the entire second half with ten men after Chrispine Erambo was shown a straight red card.
How Kenya vs Morocco first half unfolded
Kenya started the game strong, but within minutes, they found themselves on the back foot. In the sixth minute, Morocco was awarded a free kick, and their captain, Mohamed Hrimat, nearly scored with a powerful header.
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His effort hit the post, and even if it had gone in, it would have been ruled out for offside.
In the 15th minute, the Harambee Stars tested the Atlas Lions with set pieces and appealed for a penalty following a corner, but the referee waved it off.
Both teams looked to score on the counter, but last-ditch defending stopped the attacks.
In the 31st minute, Mansur Suleiman fired a shot from outside the box, but North Africans blocked it for a corner and defended it well.
Kenya's influence on the contest grew stronger later in the first half, as they threatened Morocco several times.
Harambee Stars goalkeeper Byrne Omondi made a good save in the 37th minute after the defenders failed to clear their lines, allowing Anass El Mahraoui.
In the 42nd minute, Ryan Ogam found space in the box after Ben Stanley Omondi's good work on the left, then fired a shot past Elmehdi Al Harrar into the far post to give Kenya the lead.
In first-half added time, Erambo was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Anass El Mahraoui. It was the second consecutive game in which Kenya received a red card.
How Kenya held off Morocco with 10 men
As expected, Kenya began the second half defending after Erambo's sending off.
In the 53rd minute, Boniface Muchiri was brought down in the box by Marouane Louadni, and referee Vincent Kabore from Burkina Faso pointed straight to the penalty spot.
However, after a VAR check, the decision was chalked off since the challenge occurred just outside the box.
The hosts continued to threaten on the counter, and Ogam came close to adding a second just before the hour mark.
Benni McCarthy's team defended valiantly as Morocco tried to mount a comeback. Goalkeeper Byrne Omondi was up to the task when called upon.
Source: Twitter
Like Angola, Morocco tried to break Kenya's defence but fell short in the second half.
"We were a team that played with 10 men instead of 11. So I've learned the trades and the tricks of working with Mourinho, and where you adjust, who do you sacrifice? It's not going to be pretty for the fans because they want to see attacking football. But then you think about, most importantly, protecting your goals. And if you are in the lead, you protect at all costs."
Kenya held on to win 1-0 and will have to wait to know if they will play in the quarter-finals. They will face Zambia in their final Group A game next Sunday, hoping to top the group.
What next for Harambee Stars?
Benni McCarthy and Harambee Stars will have a full week to recover before they face Zambia.
In the coming week, they will be looking to register a positive result against Chipolopolo to reach the last eight. The final will be played at the Kasarani Stadium, so Kenya will have an eye on the final.
Why did Chrispine Erambo get a red card?
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported on why Chrispine Erambo was shown a straight red card.
The Tusker star caught a Moroccan player with a high challenge and was sent off after a VAR check.
Erambo and Marvin Nabwire are two Kenyan players with red cards at CHAN 2024 so far.
Martin Moses, head of sports desk, added exclusive comments from Benni McCarthy's press conference.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
