‘Toughest game I’ve played in’ – Benni McCarthy relieved as Kenya go top in CHAN 2024 group

Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy is relieved that his Kenyan team showed grit to pick up a point despite playing with 10 men for over 7 minutes on Thursday.

Kenya drew 1-1 with Angola in their second match at the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) but there were plenty of decisive moments in the entire match.

Kenya went down after just seven minutes when Jo Paciencia slotted home after a defensive mistake from McCarthy’s side but the CHAN 2024 co-hosts were back on level terms four minutes later when Austin Odhiambo equalised from the penalty spot.

However, Kenya received a blow when midfielder Marvin Nabwire was sent off in the 21^st minute for a foul that was deemed to be denying an opponent a goal scoring opportunity, leaving them facing the prospect of a heavy defeat.

Benni excited by Kenya’s fighting spirit

Benni McCarthy after 10-man Kenya 🇰🇪 drew with Angola 🇦🇴 #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024

🗣️ "I am exhausted. I am tired and I just want to go hit my bed and sleep. This was the toughest match I have been involved in."#TotalEnergiesCHAN #CHAN2024 #CHAN2025 #FootballKE #HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/x93I86Qzjx

— Pan-Africa Football (@PanAfricaFooty) August 7, 2025

However, McCarthy’s tactical changes contained Angola, who struggled to break them down, as they picked up a precious point, which sent them to the top of Group A, albeit temporarily, with four points from two games.

“Ah, this was the toughest game I've played in. You have to play 15 minutes with 10 men, it was difficult, and you just tried to coach and keep the players in check,” McCarthy said after the match.

“But I do have to praise the players for the effort, the work. It wasn't easy.”

McCarthy admits it was tough playing with 10 men for that long especially when his team had some nervous moments in front of a sold-out 48,000-seater Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

“Yes, unfortunately we were quite early on a goal down and also one player down too. So it wasn't ideal. Then you have to then think outside the box as it were and think how you're gonna still maintain still the role of the team so that you can still be optimistic,” he added.

What is McCarthy not happy with?

“But I'm just delighted. I'm just delighted for the players that they weren't robbed of all the good work they've done.”

Kenya kept their unbeaten run intact as they had started with a 1-0 win over DR Congo but the former AmaZulu and Cape Town City coach is lamenting basic mistakes that his players are making which are proving costly.

“Because errors are what are hurting us. We inflict pain on ourselves a lot. I know players still get nervous. I understand that this occasion is big. But I think as players now, you have to take charge and you can't still be nervous,” said McCarthy.

Harambee Stars have a tough match coming up next as they tackle two-time winners Morocco on Sunday before completing their group stage run against Zambia on August 17.