- Benni McCarthy has been forced to play with 10 Harambee Stars players after two red cards were issued in the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament.
- The first incident occurred against Angola, when Marvin Nabwire was sent off during a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
- On Sunday, against Morocco, Crispine Erambo was also shown a red card; however, Kenya managed to secure a 1-0 victory.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed that his former manager at FC Porto, Jose Mourinho, has played a pivotal role in shaping his tactical approach during the ongoing Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 tournament.
In their second successive Group A match, McCarthy’s side was again forced to play with ten men after receiving a red card.
The first instance occurred against Angola when Marvin Nabwire received a red card in a 1-1 draw on Thursday.
A similar setback struck in their match against two-time champions Morocco on Sunday at the packed MISC Kasarani Stadium when Crispine Erambo was dismissed late in the first half.
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Despite the numerical disadvantage, a vital goal from Ryan Ogam secured a 1-0 victory, propelling Kenya to the top of the group with seven points.
To earn four points against the tournament’s favorites, McCarthy adopted a pragmatic and disciplined approach, opting for a five-man defensive line to absorb pressure and secure results.
This strategy, often referred to as “parking the bus,” was instrumental in containing opponents and preserving leads.
McCarthy laments unfortunate dismissals of Harambee Stars players in CHAN 2024 campaign
Speaking to the press after the match, the tactician clarified that playing with a man down was never part of his game plan and described the situations as unfortunate.
This isn’t something I ever prepare for in training sessions using five at the back is not my default setup,” McCarthy explained.
Believe me, I would rather finish a game with 11 players because we genuinely have a strong squad capable of expressing ourselves. Unfortunately, in two consecutive matches, we have had red cards.
Today’s was even more unfortunate, he (Erambo) went in to clear the ball, missed it, and caught the Moroccan player on the thigh.
That was purely accidental. According to the new rules, an accidental foul should warrant a warning, but perhaps because we were dominating the game, they felt it justified a red card.”
ALSO READ: Kenya vs Angola: Late VAR intervention rescues 10-man Harambee Stars in gritty draw in Kasarani
How Mourinho’s “park the bus” philosophy has shaped McCarthy’s coaching style
McCarthy, a UEFA Champions League winner with FC Porto, was a key player under the legendary Mourinho.
He acknowledged that much of his defensive discipline and tactical awareness comes from learning under the Portuguese coach, who is renowned for his structured defensive systems.
If you remember, I played under Jose Mourinho, he was a master of defensive organization,” McCarthy stated.
Playing with ten men is extremely demanding, but at Porto, we were trained to handle it with composure. It became second nature. That experience taught me the nuances and sacrifices required to adapt, and how to shift systems under pressure.”
He admitted that while fans prefer attacking football, circumstances sometimes demand pragmatism to protect valuable points.
I understand this isn’t the type of football fans want to see they prefer free-flowing, attacking play.
But when you’re in the lead, the priority becomes protecting your goal. At times, defenders have to perform the roles of midfielders or even strikers.
That’s one of the key lessons I took from Jose: understanding when to adjust and how to effectively ‘park the bus’ when necessary.”
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.