Ogam, Omija, coach McCarthy praise team spirit after Harambee Stars 1-0 win over Morocco
Coach Benni McCarthy explained the significant squad rotation from the Angola game, saying it was driven by player fatigue.
Fresh from their 1-0 victory over Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Harambee Stars players and coach Benni McCarthy shared their thoughts on the performance, fan support, and their ambitions for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Match-winner Ryan Wesley Ogam credited both his coach’s guidance and the fans’ unwavering support for his goal.
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“The coach is helping so much in my training, he guides me a lot, and the message I have picked from him is to give my all in the game,” Ogam said.
He was quick to share the glory with the crowd: “The support was high and the win was theirs too, not mine alone. As the games are going on, they have been turning out in large numbers, and I thank them too. Our aim is to win the tournament, but we’ll take it game at a time and do our best.”
Defender Alphonse Omija, who made a notable impact after coming off the bench, also reflected on his experience.
“The game has been fine, and we thank God for it. My experience in CHAN as a debut is a good one; playing at home in a full stadium builds confidence. Where we are now, our eyes are on the finals. Getting another million for the win has kept me a step forward financially, so I’ll continue working to earn even more.”
Significant squad rotation
Coach Benni McCarthy explained the significant squad rotation from the Angola game, saying it was driven by player fatigue.
“In the post-match press conference before Morocco, I was asked if I’d change the team. I said we’d wait for training and see. I could see the tiredness in my players, although no player will tell you to bench him, as a coach, you have to analyse and decide. We wouldn’t have coped with Morocco if we kept the same team from Angola. It’s a risk to shuffle, but for me it wasn’t a risk, it was trust in my players.”
Compared to the starting lineup against Angola, Kenya’s starting XI versus Morocco featured six changes. Kibwage replaced Omar as captain in central defence, with Siraj coming in for Sakari.
In midfield, Stanley, Erambo, and Bandi started in place of Nabwire, Onyango, and Austine, while Ogam replaced Omija in defence. The rest of the positions—including goalkeeper Omondi, S. Owino, S. Manzur, Omondi (No. 12), and Boniface—remained unchanged.
McCarthy praised his side’s defensive discipline.
“We were so tactically organised that although Morocco had the ball most of the time, they didn’t know what to do with it. I couldn’t have asked for a better performance.”
In an interesting post-match fact, it emerged that both McCarthy and Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui were teammates during the 1997 African Youth Championship, which Morocco hosted and won.
Sektioui, wearing the number 10 shirt, was named player of the tournament, while McCarthy missed the final due to suspension as South Africa lost 1-0 to the hosts.
The victory leaves Harambee Stars top of Group A with 7 points after 3 games. They will finish their group stage matches on Sunday against Zambia, who are at the bottom of the Group A standings.
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