CHAN 2024: Why Harambee Stars Was Denied Penalty vs Morocco for Foul on Boniface Muchiri
- Harambee Stars had a penalty decision overturned during their game against Morocco on Sunday, August 10
- Boniface Muchiri was fouled against the run of play, but the referee changed his mind after a VAR review
- The decision didn't matter in the end as Kenya held on to beat the North African giants 1-0 courtesy of Ryan Ogam's goal
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Harambee Stars turned up in style to stun Morocco 1-0 in their third group stage game at the African Nations Championships (CHAN).
Source: Twitter
Not many gave the home boys a chance, given that they were coming up against the strongest team in the continent on paper.
However, Benni McCarthy defied the odds to end Morocco's unbeaten run at the competition for over nine years.
The South African named a different starting XI, with only three players retaining their spots from the team that drew against Angola.
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Ryan Ogam repaid the faith, scoring three minutes from halftime with a composed finish inside the area to lift the noise decibels over the roof.
The mood was dampened just before halftime after Chrispine Erambo was sent off for a reckless challenge, but Harambee Stars persevered in the second half to hand the Moroccans their first defeat at CHAN by an East African nation.
It could have been a healthier and more comfortable scoreline had Harambee Stars been given a penalty in the second half.
As expected, it was the Atlas Lions who came back with more intention and desire to capitalise on the man advantage.
Why Kenya was denied penalty vs Morocco
However, against the run of play, Boniface Muchiri was fouled and fell inside the area by Marouane Louadni. Centre referee Vincent Kabore pointed to the spot.
Gor Mahia's Ben Stanely held the ball with indications suggesting he could have passed it up to Ogam to take the spot-kick. Austin Odhiambo, who scored the penalty against Angola, was an unused substitute against Morocco.
However, the Burkinabe official was asked to review his decision on the pitchside monitor and after a lengthy check, he rescinded his original call.
Replays showed that Louadni indeed fouled Muchiri, but the offence happened outside the penalty area and thus awarded a free-kick instead. The foul must happen inside the box or on the line for it to be given as a penalty.
Nonetheless, despite the penalty decision going against them, Kenya continued with their resolute defending to secure the three vital points.
McCarthy once again showed his tactical acumen, changing his players and formation to suit the needs of the game to preserve the slender lead.
He took off Edward Omondi, a striker, at halftime and brought in Alpha Onyango, a midfielder, to fill the gap left by Erambo.
Source: Getty Images
The South African coach then took off Muchiri and replaced him with Alphonce Omija, which changed Kenya's formation to a back five.
He credited his former manager, Jose Mourinho, with the 'dark arts' of parking the bus that he employed in the two games they went down to ten men.
"So, we had to be structured, we had to be disciplined, and we had to do it as a team. And I think that's, they've given me all that. I played under a certain coach, Jose Mourinho was the master of that. As a player playing in a team that plays with 10 men, I'm telling you, it is hell," he said after the game.
It is hell, but we used to manage it perfectly, like it was our everyday thing. Like we were a team that plays 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?"
Why Kenya haven't qualified for CHAN quarter-finals yet
Kenya are yet to secure their place in the quarter-finals despite beating Morocco on Sunday.
The win takes them closer to the knockout rounds, but they will need one more result to confirm their place among the best eight teams on the continent in their debut appearance.
They play Zambia on Sunday, but the qualification could be sealed in midweek if Angola fails to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo at the Kasarani Stadium.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
