Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has set his sights on keeping the Moroccans at bay as Kenya bids to stretch its fine start in the African Nations Championship with a clash against the Group A rivals.

Kenya faces its toughest test yet against the two-time CHAN champions on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, seeking to extend their unbeaten group matches to three.

Speaking ahead of the match this Saturday, August 9, 2025, in Nairobi, McCarthy maintained that he is fully aware of his rival’s threats as a counter-attacking side.

“Morocco is a very unpredictable team with a strong national team. They always take the game to you early and will always invite you to attack and hope to beat you on the counter,” he said.

The coach, who has kept an astute defensive shape so far in the games, once again hinted at exploiting a similar plan in the decisive clash.

Game Plan

“For us it is about being prepared and sticking to our instructions. We hope our organisation will be good and make it difficult for them,” he stated.

“If we can keep our discipline and defense and midfield line tight, we will get opportunities too, and if we can be clinical, we can make them change their game plan. It will, however, demand us to be disciplined from minute one,” he stated.

Kenya’s unbeaten status after their opening two games has continued to arouse excitement among fans, with many hailing a potential return to the past glory days.

Speaking on Friday, August 8, 2025, a day after the team managed to draw Angola despite going a man down early in the game, Oscar Sudi hailed the team’s show of resilience and sheer determination.

“Great effort, Harambee Stars! A hard-fought draw against Angola in the African Nations Championship! Playing with 10 men after a tough red card, you showed incredible resilience and determination. You gave it your all and represented the nation with pride. Keep fighting on!” The Kapseret MP said.

While stating that the performance was a testament to progress and growing mental strength, the lawmaker challenged the team to carry on in the same vein.

“You gave it your all and represented the nation with pride. Keep fighting on,” he noted.

A win for Kenya will see them consolidate their top spot position as well as move within reach of making it past the preliminary stage of the competition. The result will be a massive moral booster coming after many predicted that the five-team Group A was the tournament’s toughest pairing of participating teams.