Harambee Stars cruise to top group A after win against Atlas Lions of Morocco
Kenya’s Harambee Stars secured a crucial win of one-nil win against the Atlas Lions of Morocco, moving to the top of group A with seven points.
Stars who were reduced to 10 men during the first half after a red card braved their opponents before retreating to defend in the second half, recording the much-needed historic win.
Ryan Wesley Ogam, who broke the deadlock, holding his nerve to calmly rifle the ball past Moroccan goalkeeper Al Harrar scoring the goal in the 35th minute, sending the partisan Kasarani crowd into delirium.
South African tactician Coach Benni McCarthy made a tactical switch, introducing defensive midfielder Alpha Onyango for Edward Omondi Otieno.
Just two minutes after the break, Morocco now enjoys a numerical advantage. They nearly drew level, but substitute Youssef Mehri’s shot shaved inches off the post, with a fully stretched Bryne Omondi well beaten.
Today’s late afternoon match had Benni make changes from the previous squad, which drew with Angola, with Ogam starting on the bench as Bandari’s Mohammed Siraj made his first start of the championship alongside Lewis Bandi.
The former Man U tactician also dropped Skipper Abud Omar and Alphonce Omija to the bench.
The Lions of Morocco dominated in the first ten minutes of the first half, but the Stars settled on their nerve with the support of the 12th man as Ogam netted in the opener.
In the second half while one man down, Boniface Muchiri produced a moment of brilliance in the second half, dribbling forcefully into the Moroccan box before being shoved to the ground.
The referee initially awarded a penalty, but after consulting VAR, Vincent Kabore overturned his decision.
The win pocketed the national team another Sh1 million as promised by President William Ruto, who, before the start of the competition, pledged Sh1 million for every win, with half a million for every draw and Sh600million if they lift the competition trophy.
