As the Harambee Stars prepare for a decisive showdown against Angola in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), head coach Benni McCarthy has laid out three critical demands his players must fulfill to secure progression from their group Focus, Momentum, and Execution.
Fresh off a thrilling 1-0 victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Kenya sits in a promising position. However, McCarthy remains cautious, stating that while the win has boosted morale, it is not a guarantee of qualification. The real challenge, he insists, lies ahead.
Focus: Blocking Out the Noise
McCarthy has called for complete mental focus from his squad. After such a confidence-boosting win, there’s a danger of complacency creeping in. He stressed the importance of staying mentally sharp and ignoring external distractions. The South African tactician believes that success in tournaments like CHAN requires consistency, not just isolated moments of brilliance. Kenya must approach the Angola match with the same hunger and intensity, avoiding the trap of relaxing after just one win.
Momentum: Ride the Wave
The coach emphasized the need to carry the positive momentum from the DRC match into the Angola clash. With the team’s confidence restored, he believes players will be able to express themselves better on the pitch. Kenya showed tremendous fighting spirit and discipline in their opener traits McCarthy wants to see repeated. The technical bench is already analyzing Angola’s recent performances to exploit any weaknesses, and there’s consideration of deploying the same successful back five system used against DRC.
Execution: Deliver Under Pressure
Execution, according to McCarthy, is the final and most important demand. At this level, games are decided by the smallest margins, and Kenya must be clinical when chances arise. They must also remain disciplined in defense and avoid costly errors. The coach was impressed by the maturity of his squad’s approach in their opening game and believes that if they stick to the plan and remain composed, they can produce another strong performance.
With qualification within reach, the Angola clash could become the turning point of Kenya’s CHAN 2024 campaign. But that will only happen if the Harambee Stars meet McCarthy’s demands on the pitch focusing completely, maintaining momentum, and executing under pressure.
