Predicting Harambee Stars’ XI To Face Morocco In 2024 CHAN Group A Clash – David Sakwa And Edward Omondi Set To Start?

All eyes will be on Kasarani Stadium this evening as Harambee Stars take on Morocco in a highly anticipated African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Group A clash.

The match is set to kick off at 3:00 PM EAT on August 10, with head coach Benni McCarthy expected to name a strong, balanced starting XI in a must-win tie in front of a passionate home crowd.

Pulse Sports predicts Kenya’s starting line up against Morocco in their opening clash of Group A.

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Byrne Omondi has been mostly calm and assured in both of his games against DR Congo and Angola. He brought his sense of calm and collected nature which prevented him from injecting panic into his defenders.

However, he did make a mistake that had a consequential effect in the game against Angola, as his delayed pass during build up play from the back in the 20th minute resulted in Marvine Nabwire being sent off for a professional foul after Angola had intercepted the ball and were through on goal.

However, he redeemed himself well and made some crucial saves that prevented Kenya from losing the game.

For that reason, we expect him to keep his place ahead of Sepstianos Wekesa and Farouk Shikhalo, yet again, despite the latter being one of the other three members of the squad that was part of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations delegation.

The 26-year old is the most experienced right back in the squad in terms of international football, and will be expected to start ahead of AFC Leopards’ Lewis Bandi and KCB’s Kevin Okumu in that position.

Calm, composed and defensively astute, Daniel Sakari is also capable of inverting into the midfield, which could help McCarthy’s side create overloads in the midfield, which will prevent them from being overrun.

Against DR Congo, he had a torrid first 20 minutes against Ibrahim Matobo, who consistently Isolated him during 1 v 1 situations and even forced the Police defender to receive a yellow card, but calmed down for the rest of the match, with Ryan Ogam tracking back to help him out on a number of occasions. 

Against Angola, he was more assured, first as a right back and then again as a right wing back when Benni McCarthy shifted to a 5-3-1 low-block formation at the beginning of the second half, before being subbed off in the 75th minute for debutant Kevin Okumu.

The team captain, Abud Omar is the most experienced member of the squad, having been a regular fixture of the national team for 12 years.

Omar is the only member of the squad that has actually won a trophy with the national team before, doing it in 2013 on home soil when Stars downed Sudan to lift the CECAFA Senior Challenge trophy at Nyayo National Stadium.

His ability to bomb up and down the pitch will be crucial in helping the side maintain both attacking and defensive balance down the left.

Alphonce Omija has established himself as a defender for the big occasions, like on his debut for the national team against Ivory Coast.

Against DR Congo, he was very good in and out of possession, taking a no-nonsense approach to his defending, and even made a goalline clearance. He also looked assured against Angola, more so when Mike Kibwage was subbed on as a third defender who could then organise him alongside Sylvester Owino.

In possession, he carried the ball forward well on occasion and combined well with the likes of Sakari at right back. He will be expected to start at right center back.

Sylvester Owino will be the starting left sided center back for the game. He was commanding in the air in his first game and was very good at spraying progressive passes forward. He also did well against Angola, and even made a heroic goalline clearance at some point,

Alpha Onyango will be starting as the right sided number eight, and will be handed the freedom of dropping deeper to aid the build up at times. 

McCarthy had made the surprising decision to play him as a number 10 for the game, but we expect him to drop back into the deep lying midfield position for his progressive passing capabilities.

His ability to retain possession as well as generally dictate the tempo of the game will be very crucial.

Starting as a makeshift defensive midfielder in both games, Manzur Okwaro will be keen to continue where he left off tonight.

His speed and athleticism will be key to cutting passing lanes and prevent Angola from creating inroads into the box, instead subjecting them to crosses delivered from deep by their wingbacks. 

In possession, he will give the two center backs a passing option with his left foot in that half-back role.

The creative hub of the team, Austin Odhiambo will start as the number 10, rather than as a false nine as he did against Angola, and his  job will be to find space between the lines,  and spray those line-breaking passes to generally help create chances for his forwards.

The only direct profile of winger in the squad, David Sakwa will be expected to be back fit and start at left wing  for the game.

Bonface Muchiri was given the nod against Angola, but it was a game that never suited him given its intensity, as well as the fact he had to do more defensive work to support Abud Omar from being isolated 2 v 1 given Angola’s reliance on using wingbacks to create chances from wide.

Edward ‘Ondimo’ Omondi impressed on his debut against Angola playing on the right wing. He was the one that gave the pass to Austin before the Gor Mahia man was fouled inside the box to win the penalty upon VAR review. He also impressed when moved to center forward. He did his defensive work diligently and carried the ball dynamically and for that reason, he will be given the nod again.

Ryan Ogam started as a right winger for the first game but could start as a center forward for this one ahead of Austin Odongo of Shabana and Felix Oluoch of Posta Rangers. 

Masoud Juma is fit but might not be deemed ready to get back into the starting line up yet. Besides, Ogam has defensive workrate, which will be crucial in the side defending from the first line of attack.

As the countdown to kick-off narrows, Kenya will be counting on their home support and tactical discipline to secure a crucial three points in Group A.