Editor's Review

Kasarani Stadium erupted on Sunday, August 10, as Ryan Ogam’s first-half goal sealed a spirited 1-0 win for the Harambee Stars over Morocco.

Kasarani Stadium erupted on Sunday, August 10, as Ryan Ogam’s first-half goal sealed a spirited 1-0 win for the Harambee Stars over Morocco.

In the opening minute, Kenya won a corner after Ben Stanley’s cross was blocked by Anas Bach. 

Boniface Muchiri swung in the delivery, but Morocco’s goalkeeper Elmehdi Al Harrar safely claimed it before launching a quick counter. 

Ayoub Mouloua tried to lead the charge, but captain Michael Kibwage was alert, cutting out the danger.

Morocco looked sharp early on, dictating possession and nearly opening the scoring in the seventh minute.

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Mohamed Hirmat met Ait Khalid’s cross with a towering header that beat goalkeeper Bryne Omondi but crashed off the post. 

However, Kibwage reacted quickly to clear before Moufid whipped the ball back into the box, forcing Omondi into a decisive save.

Kenya endured the pressure and began to carve out chances of their own. Sylvester Owino and Manzur Suleiman Okwaro both probed the Moroccan defence with promising runs.

File image of Harambee Stars players

Morocco suffered a setback when Raja Club Athletic forward Ayoub Mouloula was forced off with injury, replaced by Youness El Kaabi.

As the first half wore on, Kenya grew in confidence, and three minutes before the break, they found the breakthrough. 

Stanley’s attack caused panic in Morocco’s box, with Mohamed Moufid’s clearance falling for Ogam; he struck a ferocious left-foot shot past Harrar, breaching Morocco’s defence.

Morocco nearly responded instantly through Imad Riahi, but Lewis Bandi threw himself in the way to block the shot.

Just before half-time, Harambee Stars were dealt a huge blow when Chrispine Erambo was sent off following a VAR review for a foul on Anass Mahraoui. 

Morocco’s Belammari tested Omondi from the resulting free kick, but the Kenyan goalkeeper held firm to preserve the lead going into the interval.

Coach McCarthy reshuffled at the restart, sacrificing forward Edward Omondi for midfielder Alpha Onyango to tighten the middle of the park. 

Morocco boss Tark Sektioui responded with attacking reinforcements, bringing on Youssef Mehri and Sabri Bougrine. 

Mehri went close with a low strike, while Bougrine’s header forced another intervention from Bandi.

Kenya thought they had a penalty in the 53rd minute when Muchiri went down in the box, but VAR downgraded it to a free kick just outside. 

Ogam’s strike from the set piece hit the wall, and Moufid scrambled to clear off the line.

Morocco turned up the heat as the minutes ticked away but Kibwage, Bandi, and substitute Alphonce Omija stood tall in defence. 

Morocco’s best chance came with 10 minutes left, when Belammari curled a shot inches wide of the far post.

Kenya almost doubled the lead in stoppage time as Daniel Sakari forced Harrar into a sharp save.