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Morocco coach rallies troops for ‘tough’ Kenya fixture
Part of the action between Angola and Morocco in a Group 'A' match of the 2024 African Nations Championship at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on August 3, 2025.
What you need to know:
- Both Kenya and Morocco made a bright start to their campaign on Sunday, each winning their respective opening match.
- Kenya's coach Benni McCarthy has admitted that they are not favourites in the pool but warned against being underrated.
Morocco’s coach, Tarik Sektioui, has described Kenya as a formidable opponent, and urged his players to thoroughly prepare for their Group “A” clash against Harambee Stars in the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) on Sunday.
The match will be held at the 48,000-seater Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani, in Nairobi, and will kick off at 7 pm local time. Kenya are co-hosting the 19-nation, biennial, four-week tournament with Uganda and Tanzania.
Both “Harambee Stars” and Morocco’s “Atlas Lions” made a bright start to their campaign on Sunday, each winning their respective opening match.
While Kenya defeated the 2009 and 2016 champions, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 1-0 at Kasarani, Morocco thumped Angola’s “Sable Antelops” 2-0 at the 18,000-seater Nyayo National Stadium.
Attacking midfielder Austine Odhiambo was the hero for Kenya, the Gor Mahia player beating DR Congo’s defence to score at the stroke of halftime.
Morocco secured victory through forward Imad Riahi in the 29th minute, and doubled the advantage through an own goal by Angola’s defender Joaquim Balanga in the 81st minute.
Speaking after their match against Angola, Sektioui said his players will not sit on their laurels as Harambee Stars are a tough opponent.
Morocco coach Tarik Sektioui.
In addition to preparing adequately for the match, the Morocco coach said they must approach it with the same mentality they did against Angola – play aggressively, stay disciplined, and stick to their tactical game plan.
“The second game against Kenya is not going to be easy for us for sure,” observed Sektioui. Kenya have good players who possess a lot of determination and energy. We must prepare very well, like what we did this week. We must play with the same mentality, the same aggressiveness, and discipline tactics if we want to win the game,” he added.
Apart from the DRC, Morocco are the only side that have won the tournament title twice – in 2018, and 2020.
“The Atlas Lions” are the top-ranked African nation globally at 12th, while Kenya are placed a distant 111th. Morocco holds an advantage heading into the match as they have no mid-week fixture.
For Kenya, they must still face Angola on Thursday at MISC, Kasarani. Harambee Stars’ coach Benni McCarthy has admitted that they are not favourites in the pool but warned against being underrated.
“Of course, there are better teams in the group, but today we have proved we are no pushovers. If teams think they can have it easy against us, they are mistaken,” McCarthy said after their win against DRC. Kenya are making their Chan debut while Morocco are featuring in the tournament for the fifth time.
Sektioui has declared that they are looking to clinch the title with a 100 per cent win record. “The matches are not easy, but we will do our best to win all the matches and the trophy,” said Sektioui on Saturday.
Zambia are the other Group “A’ member. The “Chipolopolo” will open their campaign against the DRC at Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday.
