Kenya relishes underdog status ahead of Angola CHAN showdown
With limited time for physical training, McCarthy revealed that the team has leaned heavily on video analysis to prepare for Angola, focusing their final training session on tactical adjustments.
As Kenya's Harambee Stars prepares to face Angola in their second Group A fixture at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), head coach Benni McCarthy is urging calm, focus, and discipline both on and off the pitch.
Fresh from a historic 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo, McCarthy knows the stakes are rising but remains grounded in his approach.
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Addressing the media during the pre-match press conference on Wednesday, the South African tactician highlighted the challenge of recovery within a short window but expressed confidence in the squad’s mindset and preparation.
“When you have three days to recover after your first match, it's not easy for the players,” McCarthy said. “But we try and manage it in the best possible way.”
With limited time for physical training, McCarthy revealed that the team has leaned heavily on video analysis to prepare for Angola, focusing their final training session on tactical adjustments.
He praised the squad’s level-headedness and emphasised the need to remain humble despite the opening victory.
“There’s a real calmness in the camp, which is good. We haven’t achieved anything yet it’s only one match. We try not to get ahead of ourselves.”
McCarthy described Angola as a technically gifted side with a strong domestic league and players hungry to impress. He expects them to play with intensity after their 2-0 loss to Morocco and warned that Kenya must be alert from the first whistle.
“Angola is very technical. Their league is strong, and they’ve got a lot of talent looking to go abroad. This is the perfect stage for them to showcase that, and we know they have a lot to prove.”
Despite the challenge ahead, McCarthy is relishing Kenya’s underdog status.
“It’s nice to be underestimated. We like being the underdog. It gives us a chance to surprise everyone on match day.”
Defender Alphonse Omija echoed his coach’s sentiments, stressing that team discipline and focus across all departments will be crucial.
“The clean sheet was not only because of the defenders. Defending starts at the top, and it’s about teamwork,” said Omija. “If the concentration is 100 per cent, everything will be good in every position, from back to front.”
Kenya’s defensive solidity under McCarthy has become a hallmark, and with a potential knockout stage berth within reach, Thursday’s clash carries historic weight.
Away from the field, McCarthy is quietly managing personal grief following the sudden passing of his former FC Porto captain Jorge Costa, who died from a heart attack at age 53. Holding back emotion, McCarthy paid tribute to the man he called “our leader and older brother.”
“He wasn’t just our captain. He stood up for everyone when things didn’t go our way. He was probably the toughest person I’ve ever come across in football.”
Reflecting on Costa’s legacy, McCarthy added, “You bottle things up and try to do the best for your team, but you’re dealing with your own beast behind closed doors. He lives within every single one of us who had the privilege to meet him.”
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