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CAF
09-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
MATCH FACTS: Co-hosts Kenya seek step towards knockout place against Morocco
Kenya and Morocco meet for the first time at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they clash in Group A at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Sunday. Morocco, unbeaten in five previous encounters with East African opposition (three wins, two draws), have a strong record in such matchups. They beat Uganda twice in 2014 and 2020, won 4-1 against Rwanda in 2016, and drew 0-0 with Sudan in 2018 and Rwanda in 2020. All these games were in the group stage. This will be Morocco's third match against a tournament host, having defeated Rwanda 4-1 in 2016 and Cameroon 4-0 in the 2020 semi-finals. Kenya become the 18th different team to face Morocco at CHAN and the fourth from East Africa. Morocco are also meeting a debutant for the sixth time. Their record against debutants stands at three wins, one draw, and one loss, including recent victories over Guinea (2018), Namibia (2018), and Togo (2020). Their only draw came against Burkina Faso in 2014, while the loss was to Nigeria in the 2014 quarter-finals. Kenya – Key Facts Unbeaten after two games: beat DR Congo 1-0, drew 0-0 with Angola. Austin Odhiambo has scored in both games, netting both of Kenya's goals in the tournament. Marvin Nabwire became the first Kenyan player sent off at CHAN, receiving a red card in the 21st minute against Angola. Byrne Omondi made six saves from seven shots on target against Angola, compared to two saves in the opening game. Had only 29% possession against Angola, completing 152 passes (equal to Angola's total). Managed just one shot on target against Angola – Odhiambo's penalty. Odhiambo is the first Kenyan to score in consecutive CAF senior competition matches (AFCON or CHAN). Coach Benni McCarthy scored against Morocco for South Africa at AFCON 1998 in a 2-1 quarter-final win. Morocco – Key Facts Opened with a 2-0 win over Angola, with goals from Imad Riahi (29') and an own goal by Quinito (81'). Have never lost an opening CHAN game: three wins, two draws. Never conceded in an opening match. Can start a CHAN with two wins for only the second time (previously in 2018). Unbeaten in the first two group games in three previous editions (2014, 2016, 2020). Five straight wins, all by at least two goals. Unbeaten in 14 matches (12 wins, 2 draws) since beating Rwanda 4-1 in 2014. Last defeat was 1-0 to Côte d'Ivoire in 2016. Three consecutive clean sheets, 12 in total at CHAN. In 20 CHAN matches: 13 wins, 5 draws, 2 losses. Only one loss in the last 13 group stage matches (7 wins, 5 draws). Second group game record: one win, two draws, one loss. Against Angola, had 41.3% possession overall, just 35% in the second half. Managed five shots on target from four different players, with Riahi attempting two.
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
CHAN 2024: Down to ten men against Angola, Kenya snatch a draw
CHAN 2024: Down to ten men against Angola, Kenya snatch a draw Kenya secured a valuable 1-1 draw against Angola in their second Group A match at the 2024 CHAN, played at Moi Kasarani Stadium. This result puts the Harambee Stars at the top of the group with four points. The match kicked off with intensity: Angola struck first in the 7th minute through Jó Paciência. Kenya's response was swift—by the 12th minute, Austin Odhiambo converted a penalty awarded after a VAR review. That's his second goal of the tournament. The turning point came in the 21st minute: Marvin Nabwire was sent off after another VAR review. Kenya had to play more than 70 minutes with a man down. Kenya held firm at the back, with Byrne Omondi producing heroics in goal to keep them in the contest. In the dying moments, Angola thought they had scored, but Kaporal's goal was ruled out for offside. At the final whistle, the Kenyans celebrated a hard-fought point. Group A remains wide open heading into the final round.
CAF
03-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Kenya seal historic win over two-time champions DR Congo in CHAN bow
Published: Sunday, 03 August 2025 Kenya marked their long-awaited debut at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a statement 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo at a sold-out Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Sunday. Austin Odhiambo's first-half strike proved decisive in a tightly-contested Group A opener that saw the hosts overcome a nervy start and assert their place on the continental stage in front of an electric home crowd. The TotalEnergies CHAN is a biennial tournament exclusively reserved for players who compete in their country's domestic leagues, offering a platform for emerging local talents to shine—and Kenya's new generation did not disappoint. After a disallowed goal for DR Congo in the fifth minute—Jephté Kitambala's strike ruled out for offside following a VAR review—Kenya settled into the match, buoyed by vocal support from 60,000 fans in the stands. Despite DR Congo dominating early possession, the hosts remained disciplined and grew into the game. The breakthrough came just before the break when Odhiambo latched onto a pass from David Sakwa in the 45+2 minute, coolly guiding a left-footed shot into the bottom corner beyond Brudel Efonge. It was a goal that lifted the roof off the stadium and symbolised a changing of the guard—Kenya, making their CHAN finals debut, had taken the lead against one of the tournament's most successful sides. DR Congo, who had failed to score in the 2022 edition and were determined to rewrite the script under Otis Ngoma, pushed for an equaliser in the second half. They dominated set-pieces and came close through headers from Jonathan Mokonzi and Kitambala, but Kenya's defence held firm. Goalkeeper Byrne Omondi made a crucial save in the 59th minute, tipping Heltone Kayembe's powerful drive over the bar, while defenders Sylvester Owino and Alphonce Omija repelled a late barrage of Congolese corners. Kenya's head coach Benni McCarthy made a series of tactical substitutions to shore up the midfield and protect the lead, introducing the likes of Mike Kibwage and Marvin Nabwire to steady the team in the final 15 minutes. Seven minutes of stoppage time tested Kenyan nerves, but the hosts held on to register a memorable first-ever CHAN victory, becoming only the third debutant nation to win their opening match in the tournament's history. For DR Congo, the defeat extends their winless run in the competition to five matches, leaving them with plenty to do in their remaining Group A fixtures. Kenya next face Angola on Thursday, while DR Congo will seek redemption against Morocco.
CAF
03-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Kenya seal historic over two-time champions DR Congo in CHAN bow
Published: Sunday, 03 August 2025 Kenya marked their long-awaited debut at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a statement 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo at a sold-out Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Sunday. Austin Odhiambo's first-half strike proved decisive in a tightly-contested Group A opener that saw the hosts overcome a nervy start and assert their place on the continental stage in front of an electric home crowd. The TotalEnergies CHAN is a biennial tournament exclusively reserved for players who compete in their country's domestic leagues, offering a platform for emerging local talents to shine—and Kenya's new generation did not disappoint. After a disallowed goal for DR Congo in the fifth minute—Jephté Kitambala's strike ruled out for offside following a VAR review—Kenya settled into the match, buoyed by vocal support from 60,000 fans in the stands. Despite DR Congo dominating early possession, the hosts remained disciplined and grew into the game. The breakthrough came just before the break when Odhiambo latched onto a pass from David Sakwa in the 45+2 minute, coolly guiding a left-footed shot into the bottom corner beyond Brudel Efonge. It was a goal that lifted the roof off the stadium and symbolised a changing of the guard—Kenya, making their CHAN finals debut, had taken the lead against one of the tournament's most successful sides. DR Congo, who had failed to score in the 2022 edition and were determined to rewrite the script under Otis Ngoma, pushed for an equaliser in the second half. They dominated set-pieces and came close through headers from Jonathan Mokonzi and Kitambala, but Kenya's defence held firm. Goalkeeper Byrne Omondi made a crucial save in the 59th minute, tipping Heltone Kayembe's powerful drive over the bar, while defenders Sylvester Owino and Alphonce Omija repelled a late barrage of Congolese corners. Kenya's head coach Benni McCarthy made a series of tactical substitutions to shore up the midfield and protect the lead, introducing the likes of Mike Kibwage and Marvin Nabwire to steady the team in the final 15 minutes. Seven minutes of stoppage time tested Kenyan nerves, but the hosts held on to register a memorable first-ever CHAN victory, becoming only the third debutant nation to win their opening match in the tournament's history. For DR Congo, the defeat extends their winless run in the competition to five matches, leaving them with plenty to do in their remaining Group A fixtures. Kenya next face Angola on Thursday, while DR Congo will seek redemption against Morocco.
