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- Kenya secured a crucial 1-0 win over DRC in their opening Group A fixture on Sunday
- Austin Odhiambo scored the only goal of the match in first half’s stoppage time
Kenya vs DRC went down on Sunday (August 3) at Moi Sports Centre – Kasarani, with team Kenya securing a crucial 1-0 win. Austin Odhiambo scored the only goal of the match in first half’s stoppage time to see Kenya begin their African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign on a high note.
Speaking after the game, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy appreciated the fans at Kasarani for showing their support to the team throughout the match.
“The fans have shown us love, and they stood by the team based on how the players played. I am just slightly disappointed we didn’t give them a second or third goal.” He is quoted by Citizen Digital.
The coach also reflected on his team’s performance and warned that the next fixture will not be an easy one.
“Angola isn’t going to get any easier. The hardest hurdle for us is over, which is getting our first win in the first game of the tournament, and now the boys can relax a bit and prepare for Angola.”
Kenya vs DRC. Photo/ Pan Africa Football.
But with the win, Harambee Stars will now hope to carry the momentum onto their next fixture which will be against Angola on Thursday at the MISC Kasarani.
President William Ruto visited Kenya’s camp on Saturday and promised the team Ksh 600 million if they win CHAN 2024. In addition to the Ksh 600 million he also promised to give each player ksh 1 million for every win and ksh 500,000 for every draw at the 30-day tournament. The president further promised ksh 60 million if the team reaches the quarterfinals and 70 million if they make it to the semifinal.
Kenya Vs DRC Match Recap
Kenya is one of the three countries hosting the 2024 edition of CHAN, with the others being Uganda and Tanzania. The tickets for the highly anticipated Kenya vs DRC match were sold out on Monday last week and fans showed up in large numbers on Sunday, creating an electric atmosphere at Kasarani.
Kenya’s starting XI: Bryne Odhiambo (G), captain Aboud Omar (LB) Daniel Sakari (RB), Sylvestre Owino (CB), Alphonse Omija (CB), Manzur Okwaro (DM), Alpha Onyango (M), Austin Odhiambo (M), Ryan Ogam (RW), Wekesa (LW) and Masoud Juma (CF).
Despite fans at the 60,000 seater Kasarani showing their full support to Kenya, it was DR Congo who showed dominance in the opening minutes of the game. The visitors thought they had the lead in the fifth minute when Jephté Kitambala’s strike found the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside after a VAR review.
The offside goal turned out to be a wake up call for Harambee Stars who eventually found rhythm of the game. However, the breakthrough came shortly before the break when midfielder Odhiambo created a space in the box and then fired into the bottom corner.
The stadium erupted in celebration after Odhiambo’s goal and the excitement continued throughout half-time. DR Congo tried to find their way back into the match but Kenya defended well until the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the match.
Morocco Beat Angola 2-0
In another group A fixture played on Sunday, Morocco recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Angola at the Nyayo National Stadium.
Morocco vs Angola. Photo/ beIN SPORTS.
Imad Riahi’s thunderous strike from outside the box opened the scoring for the Atlas Lions in the 29th minute. Morocco, who won CHAN in 2018 and 2020, continued to show brilliance in front of Angola’s goal, forcing goalkeeper Neblu to make several stunning saves before the break.
The North Africans finally had their press rewarded in the 81st minute when Neblu parried Youness El Kaabi’s shot into the path of Kinito, who deflected it into his own net.
The results means that Morocco currently sit top of Group A with three points and Kenya are second due to goal difference.
