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MATCH FACTS: Co-hosts Kenya seek step towards knockout place against Morocco

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Kenya and Morocco meet for the first time at the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they clash in Group A at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Sunday.

Morocco, unbeaten in five previous encounters with East African opposition (three wins, two draws), have a strong record in such matchups. They beat Uganda twice in 2014 and 2020, won 4-1 against Rwanda in 2016, and drew 0-0 with Sudan in 2018 and Rwanda in 2020. All these games were in the group stage.

This will be Morocco’s third match against a tournament host, having defeated Rwanda 4-1 in 2016 and Cameroon 4-0 in the 2020 semi-finals. Kenya become the 18th different team to face Morocco at CHAN and the fourth from East Africa.

Morocco are also meeting a debutant for the sixth time. Their record against debutants stands at three wins, one draw, and one loss, including recent victories over Guinea (2018), Namibia (2018), and Togo (2020). Their only draw came against Burkina Faso in 2014, while the loss was to Nigeria in the 2014 quarter-finals.

 

Kenya – Key Facts

  • Unbeaten after two games: beat DR Congo 1-0, drew 0-0 with Angola.
  • Austin Odhiambo has scored in both games, netting both of Kenya’s goals in the tournament.
  • Marvin Nabwire became the first Kenyan player sent off at CHAN, receiving a red card in the 21st minute against Angola.
  • Byrne Omondi made six saves from seven shots on target against Angola, compared to two saves in the opening game.
  • Had only 29% possession against Angola, completing 152 passes (equal to Angola’s total).
  • Managed just one shot on target against Angola – Odhiambo’s penalty.
  • Odhiambo is the first Kenyan to score in consecutive CAF senior competition matches (AFCON or CHAN).
  • Coach Benni McCarthy scored against Morocco for South Africa at AFCON 1998 in a 2-1 quarter-final win.

 

Morocco – Key Facts

  • Opened with a 2-0 win over Angola, with goals from Imad Riahi (29’) and an own goal by Quinito (81’).
  • Have never lost an opening CHAN game: three wins, two draws.
  • Never conceded in an opening match.
  • Can start a CHAN with two wins for only the second time (previously in 2018).
  • Unbeaten in the first two group games in three previous editions (2014, 2016, 2020).
  • Five straight wins, all by at least two goals.
  • Unbeaten in 14 matches (12 wins, 2 draws) since beating Rwanda 4-1 in 2014.
  • Last defeat was 1-0 to Côte d’Ivoire in 2016.
  • Three consecutive clean sheets, 12 in total at CHAN.
  • In 20 CHAN matches: 13 wins, 5 draws, 2 losses.
  • Only one loss in the last 13 group stage matches (7 wins, 5 draws).
  • Second group game record: one win, two draws, one loss.
  • Against Angola, had 41.3% possession overall, just 35% in the second half.
  • Managed five shots on target from four different players, with Riahi attempting two.