CHAN 2024: Ogam the hero as Harambee Stars humble Morocco to inch closer to last eight, bag millions
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 10.08.25. | 17:46
The players and the members of the technical bench will again receive millions of shillings from President William Ruto following the win
The Kasarani Stadium roared into life, on Sunday afternoon, as Ryan Ogam’s first-half strike propelled a resilient ten-man Harambee Stars to a 1-0 victory over two-time champions Morocco, dragging the team close to the quarterfinals of CHAN 2024.
It was an afternoon of defiance, drama, and history.
Follow our WhatsApp channel for more news
Not only did the win take Kenya closer to booking a spot in the last eight, but it also ended Morocco’s nine-year unbeaten run in the tournament, as they had last lost 1-0 to Ivory Coast in 2016.
First Half
The contest began at a blistering pace, with Kenya winning a corner in the opening minute, after Ben Stanley’s early delivery was blocked by Morocco’s Anas Bach.
The resultant set-piece, taken by Boniface Muchiri, was safely gathered by goalkeeper Elmehdi Al Harrar, who immediately launched a counter through Ayoub Mouloua, only for captain Michael Kibwage to clear it.
Morocco, dictating the tempo early in the first half, threatened in the seventh minute when skipper Mohamed Hirmat rose highest to meet Ait Khalid’s cross.
His header beat goalkeeper Bryne Omondi but came off the post before Kibwage stretched long enough to clear.
Moufid whipped the loose ball back into the danger zone, forcing Omondi into another intervention.
Kenya weathered the early storm, with Sylvester Owino and Manzur Suleiman Okwaro both testing Morocco’s backline.
Morocco were forced into an early change as Raja Club Athletic’s forward Ayoub Mouloula left the field injured, replaced by Youness El Kaabi.
As the first half wore on, Kenya began to find rhythm.
Three minutes from the interval, the breakthrough came. Mohamed Moufid’s poor clearance from Stanley’s attack fell to Ogam, who unleashed a thunderous left-foot shot past Harrar to see Morocco concede for the first time in 14 CHAN matches.
The Atlas Lions nearly hit back instantly through Imad Riahi, but Lewis Bandi’s brave block preserved the lead.
Moments before the half-time whistle, Stars suffered a setback as Chrispine Erambo was sent off following a VAR review for foul play on Anass Mahraoui.
From the resulting free kick, Belammari’s effort was comfortably saved by Omondi, sending Kenya into the break 1-0 up.
Second Half
McCarthy responded to the red card by bolstering the midfield, introducing Alpha Onyango for forward Edward Omondi.
Morocco coach Tark Sektioui countered by bringing in Youssef Mehri and Sabri Bougrine, who immediately added attacking urgency.
Mehri’s low drive narrowly missed the target, while Bougrine’s header was cleared by Bandi.
Kenya thought they had a penalty in the 53rd minute when Muchiri was brought down, but after VAR intervention, it was reduced to a free kick. Ogam’s ensuing effort rattled the Moroccan wall before Moufid cleared off the line.
As the clock ticked, Morocco intensified their search.
2024/25 CAF Confederation Cup joint top scorer Oussama Lamlioui posed a constant threat, but was repeatedly denied by Kenya’s resolute backline, marshalled by Kibwage, Bandi, and substitute Alphonce Omija.
Ten minutes from time, Morocco’s best chance fell to Belammari, whose curling effort from inside the box skimmed past the post.
In the dying moments, Kenya’s Daniel Sakari forced a fine save from Harrar, but the afternoon belonged to the Stars’ defence and goalkeeper Omondi, who produced a string of saves to secure his second clean sheet of the tournament and man of the match accolade.
