Morocco’s head coach Tarik Sektioui has broken down the key reasons behind his side’s shock defeat to Harambee Stars in their CHAN 2024 Group A clash.
In a match played before a sold-out crowd at Kasarani Stadium, Kenya struck in the 42nd minute through Ryan Ogam, seizing the momentum despite Morocco’s early dominance. The Atlas Lions controlled possession in the opening stages with their trademark attacking play, but were wasteful in front of goal.
Kenya’s challenge intensified just before the break when Chrispine Erambo was sent off for a reckless tackle, leaving them with ten men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Harambee Stars dug deep and displayed remarkable defensive discipline to preserve their lead until the final whistle.
Reflecting on the match, Sektioui admitted his side started strongly but gradually lost momentum. He pointed out that misplaced passes and a lack of technical sharpness disrupted their rhythm. Even after gaining a one-man advantage in the second half, Morocco failed to capitalize, allowing Kenya to grow in confidence.
“We controlled the game at the start but began losing precision in our passing. We created chances but could not convert them, and in the second half, despite the extra player, we did not make the most of it,” Sektioui explained.
The Moroccan coach acknowledged the resolute nature of Kenya’s defending, conceding that the hosts might have deserved their victory. He noted that while Morocco had the ball for long spells, they lacked the cleverness and composure required to break down a well-organized defence.
“As the game went on, I saw how solid they were at the back. If Kenya won, it is because they deserved it they were disciplined and smart in defence,” he added.
Looking ahead, Sektioui stressed that his team must learn from the setback and approach their remaining fixtures with greater focus and execution. He confirmed that preparations for their next match would begin immediately, targeting maximum points to keep qualification hopes alive.
Morocco will next face Zambia on Thursday, August 14, before completing their group stage campaign against DR Congo on Sunday, August 17. With pressure mounting, Sektioui and his players know they must find a winning formula quickly to stay in contention for the knockout stages of CHAN 2024.
