It will be a classic David versus Goliath battle when Harambee Stars take on Morocco in their penultimate 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) Group A match today (3pm) at MISC Kasarani Stadium, with a ticket to the quarter-finals on the line.
Kenya, ranked 113th in the world, will face a Morocco side placed 12th globally and first in Africa — a gap of 101 places that underlines just how far apart the two nations are rated in world football.
The Atlas Lions, who won the Chan title in 2018 and 2020, have never lost to Kenya in five previous meetings. The most recent clash between the two sides ended in a 3-0 victory for Morocco in an international friendly in 2014.
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The head-to-head record paints a daunting picture: Kenya have suffered three defeats and managed only two draws. Their biggest loss was a 5-1 defeat in a 2005 World Cup qualifiers in Rabat.
However, coach Benni McCarthy insists history will not dictate the outcome of today’s fixture.
He believes Harambee Stars can match Morocco — but only if they start the game on the front foot. The Bafana Bafana legend will be reuniting with his former Porto teammate, Tarek Sektioui, who currently handles the Atlas Lions.
“We all know Morocco are a top side. They’ve been dominant in Africa for years, but football is played on the pitch, not on paper,” McCarthy said.
“If we start brightly, show them we are not here to admire them, then we can make this game very uncomfortable for them.”
Kenya have made a solid start to their Chan campaign, winning 1-0 against two-time champions DR Congo before holding Angola to a spirited 1-1 draw despite playing with 10 men for over 70 minutes.
Those results have put the hosts top of Group A with four points from two matches, one ahead of Morocco, who have played only once — a 2-0 win over Angola.
The match is crucial for both sides. A win for Kenya would seal a place in the quarterfinals with a game to spare, while Morocco would leapfrog the hosts into top spot if they take all three points.
While Morocco boss Tarek Sektioui revealed his admiration for McCarthy, he said they are focused on the game.
“I have great memories with him (McCarthy), he’s a fantastic young coach in the continent. We played together at Porto, and I met him even before this session out there. He’s a good guy, and I hope we can put on a great match tomorrow (today). I’m happy for him,” said Sektioui.
McCarthy admitted that this will be Kenya’s toughest test yet, not just because of Morocco’s ranking but because of their tactical discipline and ability to punish mistakes.
“Against DR Congo, we were slow to get going — only after 30 minutes did we look like ourselves. Against Angola, we were overrun from the start and had to fight our way back. Against Morocco, that will be fatal. We must switch on from the first whistle,” McCarthy warned.
The South African tactician, who has brought fresh energy to the Harambee Stars since his appointment, emphasised the importance of a positive mindset in the opening stages.
“You cannot give a team like Morocco the comfort of an easy first 15 minutes. If you do, they will settle and dictate everything. We have to make them uncomfortable from the first second,” he added.
Morocco’s squad boasts a mix of experienced Chan campaigners and emerging talent, all playing their club football in one of Africa’s most competitive domestic leagues.
Their 2-0 victory over Angola was a display of power, precision, and patience — qualities Kenya will have to find answers for.
For Harambee Stars, this fixture is not just about securing a quarterfinal spot but also about proving they can compete with Africa’s best. A win would be historic, a first-ever victory over Morocco and a huge statement ahead of the knockout stages.
The odds may be stacked heavily in favour of the Atlas Lions, but football has a way of throwing up surprises.
With Kasarani expected to be a sea of red, green, and black, McCarthy is banking on home support to inspire his side.
“The fans have been incredible. Against Angola, they pushed us over the line. Now we need them more than ever. This is the kind of game where the noise, the passion, and the belief can make all the difference,” he said.