NAIROBI, Kenya
Kenya produced a statement 1–0 victory over two-time champions Morocco in Nairobi on Sunday to remain unbeaten at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 despite playing an entire half with 10 men.
Ryan Ogam’s 42nd-minute strike proved decisive at a raucous Moi International Sports Centre, as Benni McCarthy’s side defied the odds and Morocco’s unbeaten CHAN record to seize early control of Group A.
Ogam steered in the winner and McCarthy’s men then defended the lead with remarkable resolve after Chrispine Erambo’s red card—upgraded by VAR in first-half stoppage time—left the co-hosts with ten men for the entire second half.
The result, following a 1–0 win over DR Congo and a 1–1 draw with Angola, lifts Kenya to seven points from three games and leaves them within touching distance of a historic quarter-final berth on their tournament debut.
Morocco, who opened with a 2–0 defeat of Angola and arrived on a 14-match unbeaten CHAN run, were made to look ordinary by a disciplined, combative home team roared on by a packed crowd.
The win puts co-hosts Kenya on the verge of a historic quarter-final place, while Morocco’s hopes of advancing now rest on recovering in their final two group matches.
Kenya's team, the Harambee Stars players played with a promise of pocketing shillings 1 million each for every win, Shillings 500,000 each for every draw, shillings 60 million for the team upon reaching the Quarter-final, shillings 70 million for the team if they reach the semis, and shillings 600 million for the team if they win the tournament.
The promise from the country’s president, William Ruto took effect from the first match.
No comments:
Post a Comment