Harambee Stars reduced to 10 men as Erambo is shown red in Morocco’s clash
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 10, 2025Harambee Stars were reduced to 10 men in the dying minutes of the first half match against Morocco after midfielder Chrispine Erambo was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle.
The center referee sent off the Tusker FC midfielder after a VAR review, which affirmed that Erambo tackled Tunisia’s player dangerously. Erambo had earned his first start in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group A clash against Morocco after head coach Benni McCarthy reshuffled his side.
Before being sent off, Harambee Stars had established a late first-half lead through Ryan Ogam.
Ogam’s opener
Ogam slotted in the bottom right corner from inside the box to send coach Benni McCarthy and a packed Kasarani stadium into a frenzy.
The crucial clash had turned out to be an almost replica of what coach Benni McCarthy had predicted the two-time CHAN winner would adopt, with the Kenya side content to sit deep and let the visitors dictate proceedings.
Much of the visitors’ effort at goal was, however, dealt with by an alert Bryne Omondi between Kenya’s goal.
Kenya’s moment came in the 45th minute from a rare attack courtesy of Ben Stanley Omondi.
The Gor Mahia midfielder made a plundering run towards the box only to see his low shot at goal blocked. Ryan Ogam was, however, at hand to collect the loose ball before deftly planting his shot into the bottom corner beyond Morocco’s goalie’s despairing dive.
Erambo dismissed
The goal sent Kenyan fans to their feet as Kenya replicated another late first-half heroic similar to that in their opening match against DR Congo.
A moment of madness, three minutes later, however, saw Kenya reduced to ten men after Chrispine Erambo was handed a straight red for a clumsy lunge on a Moroccan attacker just outside the box.
Despite dealing with the resultant set piece and taking the first-half lead to the breather, Kenya is now left to wade through a difficult yet decisive final half with a one-man handicap.
Victory in the clash will move Stars to seven points in the process, consolidating their chances to progress from the five-team Group A.
Kenya will face Zambia in their final group clash.