Benni McCarthy silences critics as he guides Kenya into CHAN 2024 quarters with match to spare

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Benni McCarthy silences critics as he guides Kenya into CHAN 2024 quarters with match to spare

Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has masterminded Kenya’s passage into the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) quarter-final with a match to spare.

Kenya were seen as one of the underdogs in a tough Group A that had two time champions Morocco and DR Congo, COSAFA Cup winners Angola and Zambia.

However, after three matches, it is the East Africans top of the group and with a ticket to the quarter-final even before their final group stage match.

How did Benni’s Kenya seal quarter-final ticket?

Kenya qualified for the last eight thanks to results elsewhere on Thursday when DR Congo beat Angola 2-0 to eliminate the COSAFA champions, leaving them on six points, same as Morocco, heading into the final group stage matches on Sunday.

Given both DR Congo and Morocco face each other in the final match, Kenya, on seven points, are guaranteed at least second place in Group A no matter the outcome due to their better head-to-head record over the two, having beaten both of them.

It means McCarthy can start planning for the quarter-final although he will be looking to beat Zambia on Sunday to finish top of the group and avoid a tricky meeting with Tanzania in Dar es Salaam in the last eight.

McCarthy’s tactical acumen nullifies African giants

Benni McCarthy and his coaching staff celebrate Kenya's win over Morocco.
Benni McCarthy and his coaching staff celebrate Kenya's win over Morocco.

   McCarthy has shown his tactical acumen in the three matches played so far, beating DR Congo 1-0 in their group opener before coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Angola when they played for over 70 minutes with 10 men.

They then beat Morocco 1-0 and played the second half with 10 men with McCarthy’s tactical substitutions nullifying the threats of the COSAFA winners as well as the North Africans in both matches.

South Africa’ record scorer has brought confidence within his Kenyan players while the Harambee Stars supporters are now believing with hopes high that they can go as far as the final of the CHAN 2024 tournament. 

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.