Co-hosts Kenya pulled off another remarkable feat at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), edging tournament favourites Morocco 1-0 on Sunday at a packed Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.
The win sees the Harambee Stars move to the top of Group A, defying expectations and putting them within touching distance of the quarterfinals.
Ryan Ogam struck the decisive blow in the 42nd minute, latching onto a deflected pass at the edge of the box and rifling a low, powerful shot past goalkeeper El Mehdi Al Harrar. The home crowd’s celebrations were short-lived, however, as Chris Erambo received a straight red card in first-half stoppage time after a VAR review for a reckless studs-up challenge on Anas El Mahraoui.
Reduced to ten men, Kenya dug deep in the second half, absorbing relentless Moroccan pressure. The Atlas Lions were forced into hopeful crosses and long-range efforts, with Sabir Bougrine and Youssef Belammari both firing over in the final 30 minutes.
The result marks Morocco’s first CHAN defeat since January 2016, when they fell to Ivory Coast in Rwanda. For Kenya, it was another gritty display that mirrored earlier upsets in the tournament where a red card did not spell doom.
The Harambee Stars now turn their attention to a decisive clash with Zambia next Sunday, while Morocco face a crucial test against the Chipolopolo on Thursday.
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