Kenya Stun Morocco with 1–0 CHAN 2024 Victory to Stay Unbeaten Despite Playing Half with 10 Men
Ryan Ogam’s clinical 42nd-minute strike proved the difference in a thrilling Group A contest, as Benni McCarthy’s men held on with extraordinary defensive grit after Chrispine Erambo was sent off—following a VAR upgrade to a straight red card—just before half-time.
Kenya produced one of the biggest shocks in the history of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024, defeating two-time champions Morocco 1–0 at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Sunday.
Ryan Ogam’s clinical 42nd-minute strike proved the difference in a thrilling Group A contest, as Benni McCarthy’s men held on with extraordinary defensive grit after Chrispine Erambo was sent off—following a VAR upgrade to a straight red card—just before half-time.
The win extends Kenya’s unbeaten debut run to three matches, adding to their 1–0 win over DR Congo and 1–1 draw with Angola, and puts them within touching distance of a historic quarter-final berth in their maiden CHAN campaign.
Morocco arrived in Nairobi boasting a 14-match unbeaten streak in the competition, including an opening 2–0 win over Angola, and were widely expected to impose themselves against the co-hosts. But it was Kenya who seized the initiative from the opening whistle, urged on by a deafening home crowd.
Early chances for Ogam and Boniface Muchiri signalled Kenya’s intent. The breakthrough came three minutes before the interval when Ben Stanley Omondi’s blocked effort fell to Ogam, who rifled a low, left-footed shot past goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar into the bottom corner.
The stadium erupted in celebration, but the mood changed abruptly in first-half stoppage time. Erambo’s sliding challenge on Anas El Mahraoui was initially punished with a yellow card, only for VAR to intervene and upgrade it to a straight red. Kenya faced the daunting prospect of defending their lead for an entire half with 10 men against one of the continent’s most lethal attacking units.
Coach Tarik Sektioui responded with a triple substitution after the break, introducing Sabir Bougrine, Youssef Mehri and Oussama Lamlaoui to inject pace and creativity. Morocco camped in Kenya’s half, sending in dangerous crosses and testing goalkeeper Byrne Omondi with both aerial and long-range efforts.
Headers from Mehri and Marouane Louadni flew narrowly off target, while Omondi denied Louadni twice from close range and tipped Mohamed Hrimat’s swerving shot around the post.
Morocco’s set-piece dominance was clear—they earned far more corners than in their opener against Angola—but their final delivery faltered, with numerous shots sailing wide or over under heavy defensive pressure.
McCarthy reacted to the numerical disadvantage by reinforcing his back line and shifting his team into a compact, deep-lying shape. Centre-backs Sylvester Owino and Mike Kibwage excelled in aerial duels, while full-backs Siraj Mohammed and Lewis Bandi blocked crosses and closed down the flanks with relentless energy.
Substitutes Daniel Sakari, David Sakwa and Alphonce Omija provided fresh legs, breaking up play and earning fouls high up the pitch to relieve pressure.
Omondi capped his superb display with a match-defining save in stoppage time, leaping to pluck Lamlaoui’s goal-bound header out of the air to preserve Kenya’s famous win.
The result leaves Kenya top of Group A with seven points from three matches. Victory over Zambia in their final fixture would confirm them as group winners, while even a draw could secure a place in the last eight.
For Morocco, the defeat is a major setback. The reigning kings of CHAN have dismantled tournament hosts before—thrashing Rwanda and Cameroon in past editions—but will now need a convincing performance against Angola to keep their title defence alive.
Kenya become just the third debutant to beat a former CHAN champion, joining DR Congo (2009) and Libya (2014) in achieving the feat.
For McCarthy, who famously scored against Morocco at AFCON 1998 as a player, the result was a tactical masterclass built on discipline, spirit, and ruthless efficiency in front of goal.
Final Score: Kenya 1–0 Morocco
Goal: Ryan Ogam (42’)
Red Card: Chrispine Erambo (Kenya, 45+2’, upgraded to red via VAR)
Kenya’s CHAN dream is gathering momentum—and after a night like this in Nairobi, belief among the home fans has never been higher.
