Kenya registered a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Chad in an international friendly held at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco, marking Benni McCarthy’s first victory since taking over as Harambee Stars head coach.
The match was the second of a two-legged friendly series between the sides, with the first ending in a goalless draw. This result not only gave Kenya a measure of revenge but also broke a winless streak for McCarthy, who had started his tenure with two draws and a loss.
McCarthy made a number of changes to the starting lineup for the second encounter, introducing Faruk Shikalo in goal and a restructured defense comprising Siraj Mohammed, Sylvester Owino, Swaleh Pamba, and Lewis Bandi. The alterations paid off early in the match as Kenya displayed better structure and urgency.
Kenya took the lead in the 17th minute through Emmanuel Osoro, who capitalized on confusion in Chad’s backline to slot the ball home. Osoro remained lively throughout the opening half, nearly doubling his tally with a sharp shot off an Austine Odhiambo cross, but the Chadian keeper kept it out.
Despite being a goal down, Chad showed little attacking intent. They remained compact, seeking opportunities on the counterattack, but Kenya’s restructured defense proved solid and disciplined. The East Africans extended their lead in the 44th minute, just before halftime, when David Sakwa converted from close range after catching the Chadian defense off guard again.
Kenya controlled the tempo in the second half and nearly scored a third goal when William Lenkupae connected with a glancing header, narrowly missing the target. However, Chad managed to pull one back in the 59th minute as Mahamat Ali beat the offside trap and headed past Shikalo to give his side a lifeline.
The Harambee Stars continued to manage the game effectively, and their calmness in possession frustrated Chad’s efforts to build momentum. Kenya almost restored their two-goal cushion when Odhiambo’s free-kick found Siraj Mohammed in the box, but the defender sent his header over the bar. A few minutes later, Sakwa’s effort was denied by goalkeeper Ndouassel Ezechiel.
Chad pushed hard in the final minutes, coming close with a well-placed header, but Shikalo produced a brilliant fingertip save to preserve the lead.
The match ended 2-1 in favor of Kenya, capping a solid performance from a team that continues to grow under McCarthy’s guidance. With this win, the Harambee Stars now look ahead with confidence as they prepare for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in August.
