Published on August 11, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 12 months by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Kenya produced a statement 1–0 victory over two-time champions Morocco in Nairobi to remain unbeaten at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 despite playing an entire half with 10 men.
Ryan Ogam’s 42nd-minute strike proved decisive at a raucous Moi International Sports Centre on Sunday, as Benni McCarthy’s side defied the odds and Morocco’s unbeaten CHAN record to seize early control of Group A.
Ogam steered in the winner and McCarthy’s men then defended the lead with remarkable resolve after Chrispine Erambo’s red card—upgraded by VAR in first-half stoppage time—left the co-hosts with ten men for the entire second half.
The result, following a 1–0 win over DR Congo and a 1–1 draw with Angola, lifts Kenya to seven points from three games and leaves them within touching distance of a historic quarter-final berth on their tournament debut.
Morocco, who opened with a 2–0 defeat of Angola and arrived on a 14-match unbeaten CHAN run, were made to look ordinary by a disciplined, combative home team roared on by a packed crowd.
The win puts co-hosts Kenya on the verge of a historic quarter-final place, while Morocco’s hopes of advancing now rest on recovering in their final two group matches.
History in the making
The result is among the biggest shocks in CHAN history, halting Morocco’s perfect start and giving Kenya seven points from their opening three matches.
Victory over Zambia in their final group game would see them top the group; even a draw could be enough to progress.
For Morocco, who thrashed tournament hosts Rwanda and Cameroon in previous editions, this was a sobering reminder of the tournament’s unpredictability.
They will now need a strong response against Angola to avoid an early exit.
Kenya become only the third debutant to beat a former champion at CHAN, following in the footsteps of DR Congo (2009) and Libya (2014).
For McCarthy – who once scored against Morocco at AFCON 1998 – it was a tactical triumph built on discipline, spirit and ruthless finishing.
