- The Kenya vs Morocco match ended 1-0 in favor of the Harambee Stars in the Group A fixture of CHAN 2024.
- The game was played at a packed MISC Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 9, 2025.
- Ryan Ogam was the hero of the day, scoring the winning goal for Kenya.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed why he opted to overhaul his squad for their third match of the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament against Morocco on Sunday, August 10.
Having relied on nearly the same lineup for the opening two fixtures, a 1-0 victory over DR Congo and a 1-1 draw against Angola, McCarthy introduced six significant changes against Morocco.
The tactical switch caught the North African side off guard, enabling Kenya to clinch a 1-0 win in a tightly contested clash at a packed Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
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The decisive goal came from Ryan Ogam in the first half, just moments before Harambee Stars was reduced to 10 men following Crispine Erambo’s red card for a reckless challenge on a Moroccan player.
Against Morocco, McCarthy took a bold step in rotating his squad.
Some of the fresh inclusions had not featured in the first two matches, while others had only come on as substitutes.
In defense, McCarthy completely reshaped the backline with Mohammed Siraj, Mike Kibwage and Lewis Bandi brought in to replace Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija and Daniel Sakari.
Further midfield adjustments saw Ben Stanley Omondi and Ryan Ogam start ahead of Austin Odhiambo and Alpha Onyango.
Additionally, Erambo was included in the starting XI but couldn’t complete the match due to his dismissal.
McCarthy cites fatigue as reason for Harambee Stars squad rotation against Morocco
Addressing the media post-match, McCarthy explained the rationale behind the reshuffle, noting that fatigue had taken a toll on several players following the high-intensity match against Angola.
Prior to the match, I mentioned that we would reassess the squad. During training, it was evident that many players were drained even if they would not admit it.
They were eager to play, but as a coach, you must read between the lines and understand when a player needs rest, even if they won’t say it aloud,” McCarthy stated.
It’s my responsibility to identify when to give someone a break. No player will ever volunteer to sit on the bench. We observed a lot of tired legs, and frankly, we wouldn’t have coped with Morocco if we had fielded the same lineup that played against Angola on Thursday.”
McCarthy added that while some may see such changes as a gamble, he considers it a calculated decision rooted in trust.
To me, it’s not a risk it’s a belief. When you know your squad and trust every individual in it, you empower them to deliver. That’s why they’re part of the national team.
Even those who hadn’t started the previous matches rose to the occasion, playing not just for the country, but also for the coaching staff and the fans.”
That’s how we managed to match Morocco’s energy. In the first half, we were dominant we created the most chances and limited them to a single opportunity from a free kick.
Apart from that, they only posed a threat through crosses, which we handled excellently. I’m extremely proud of the depth and quality in this team. Anyone can step up and deliver when called upon.”
Kenya currently tops Group A with seven points, just one step away from qualifying for the knockout stages.
Their fate could be determined by the outcome of the remaining group fixtures, after which they will enjoy a week’s rest before facing Zambia in their final group match on Sunday, August 17.