Harambee Stars Player Ratings vs Zambia: Boniface Muchiri, Ryan Ogam Shine as Kenya Finish Top of Group A

Harambee Stars sealed top spot in Group A after edging Zambia 1-0 in their final pool match at the African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) on Sunday.

With a quarter-final place already secured, Benni McCarthy’s side pushed for victory to finish top, and they got it when Tusker striker Ryan Ogam pounced with a poacher’s finish 15 minutes from time. 

The forward, who was named man of the match, proved decisive once again, but how did the rest of the squad fare?

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Benni McCarthy opted to hand his second choice goalkeeper the nod to start this game instead of Byrne Omondi, and fair to say, Farouk Shikhalo stepped up well.

He made two excellent saves during the game, and organised his defence well. Was a bit shaky coming for crosses, but nonetheless managed to see out the game while holding a clean sheet.

Another evergreen performance from the (soon to be) Gor Mahia right back, building on from his performance on his debut against Morocco.

Inverted well into the midfield to create overloads, nonchalantly resisted pressure during the build up, and offered attacking support to his wingers throughout the game.

Back in the starting line up after starting on the bench against Morocco, Abud Omar did okay for himself throughout the game in a traditional wingback role, bombing up to support his winger when needed, and at the same time tracking back defensively.

Mike Kibwage is showing why Benni McCarthy was right to drop Alphonce Omija for the third game, as his leadership and organisational skills kept things at bay, pared next to Sylvester Owino, who has started every game for Kenya at the tournament so far.

He was commanding and also did well with the ball in possession.

Another commanding performance from the Gor Mahia defender, who is the only member of the squad that has featured in every single match since the beginning. 

Alpha Onyango did well in the middle of the park, spraying progressive passes and dictating the tempo of the game. He also attempted a couple of shots from distance in efforts to break the deadlock.

Marvine Nabwire finally caught a break for this game, having undergone setbacks since being drafted into the squad for the tournament.

On his first game for the side against his own club Kenya Police, he suffered a knock that ruled him out of the opening game, and then when he was given his first tournament start against Angola, was sent off for a professional foul.

But for this game, he managed to see it out without any blemishes. He did his destructive work well, and also did okay in possession.

Not his best individual performance. Was a bit careless in possession and struggled to break lines as well as he normally does before being subbed off for Masud Juma.

Did not have a particularly good display playing on the right wing. His crosses barely came off despite being an ambidextrous player, and struggled to affect the game despite it calling for u

Did well as a left winger. Although he did not particularly isolate his man in one v one situations, being more of a playmaker being deployed out wide, he did well trying to make those late third-man runs, as well as deliver crosses into the box.

Named the man of the match after netting yet another match-deciding goal, having been set up well by Boniface Muchiri.

A very effervescent performance when he came on as a substitute, reminding so many people why he has been winning plaudits for his ability to create something from nothing in the league for years since his days at Nzoia Sugar and when he moved to Tusker.

Isolated his man effectively, was excellent with his crosses and even was a threat from setpiece situations.

Worked hard when he came on. Pressed like a monster and ran the channels consistently. Also found himself in good goalscoring situations and even attempted a power header that forced Zambia’s shotstopper into making an excellent save.

Did not have a particularly impressive debut. 

Speedened the tempo of the game when he came on as a substitute, and is growing into his midfield role.

Came in as a defensive substitute to help see out the game.