McCarthy Still Searching for First Win as Profligate Harambee Stars Held to Goalless Draw in Chad

The head coach of the Kenya national football team, Benni McCarthy, remains without a win after overseeing a 0-0 draw against Chad in an international friendly held at Stade de Marrakech in Morocco on Saturday.

McCarthy, a legendary figure in South African football, took the reins of the East African squad on March 3, 2023. This match marked his third outing in the role. His initial task came during the qualification rounds for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in March, where Kenya drew 3-3 with Gambia but subsequently fell 2-1 to Gabon in their home fixture.

With several key players unavailable, McCarthy started Brian Bwire in goal, flanked by defenders Daniel Sakari, Aboud Omar, Alphonse Omija, and Brian Mandela. The midfield featured Alpha Onyango, Brian Musa, and Boniface Muchiri, with William Lenkupae supporting strikers Adam Wilson and Moses Shumah.

Kenya commenced the match energetically, desperately seeking an early goal. Their first opportunity arrived when Kakamega Homeboyz striker Shumah headed just wide. The Kenyan side continued to press forward and earned a free-kick in the 12th minute as Lenkupae was fouled on the edge of the box by defender Ahmad Ngouyamsa, who received a yellow card.

Brian Musa took the free-kick and found Muchiri, but his effort with the right foot sailed over the bar. Shortly after, Shumah and Muchiri worked well together before Shumah sent an unmarked Lenkupae through, who plays for Central Coast Mariners in Australia, but his shot was expertly saved by Chad’s goalkeeper, Jourdain Mbaynassem.

Chad eventually threatened Kenya’s defence in the 24th minute when a counter-attack was initiated by Mbaynassem, who found midfielder Wiliam Damba. Damba spotted Sindou Yeo unmarked and opted for goal, but Bwire made a crucial save.

Yeo later received a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Muchiri, and it was Chad who seized the momentum, attempting to take the lead. In the 30th minute, Mahamat Thiam delivered a brilliant pass to Casimir Ninga, who managed to bypass Mandela but could not trouble Bwire with his shot.

Just two minutes later, Kenya had the best chance of the match when Muchiri fended off a Chad defender down the left flank to pass to Adam Wilson. The Bradford City winger squandered the opportunity by shooting wide.

Sakari then took a long throw-in from the right wing, but Shumah’s header went over the bar. In the 44th minute, the Harambee Stars believed they were awarded a penalty after Lenkupae was pulled back while progressing towards goal by Felix Noubara, but the referee disregarded the appeals from the Kenyan bench and allowed play to continue.

Despite Kenya having the lion’s share of possession in the first half, they could not convert their chances, resulting in the teams heading into the half-time break at 0-0.

Heading into the friendly, Kenya had recorded one draw and one defeat in their last two matches, while Chad faced two consecutive losses. Recently, Kenya managed a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia in the World Cup qualifiers before succumbing to Gabon 2-1.

Conversely, Chad faced a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Ghana, followed by a 1-0 loss against Comoros in their sixth matchday at Stade Municipal de Berkane.

Beginning the second half, Kenya maintained their pressure, pinning Chad back in their own half. Muchiri and Lenkupae were pivotal in advancing the ball, but Chad stood firm, refusing to concede.

Kenya’s first chance of the second half came in the 52nd minute when Lenkupae was fouled outside the penalty area. Aboud Omar took the free-kick, sending it towards Muchiri, whose attempt to cut inside was blocked by Haroun Abakar Khamis, who managed to clear the danger.

Chad nearly broke the deadlock in the 60th minute when Ali Mahamat Adam skillfully manoeuvred past Kenyan defenders, firing a low shot that slipped past Bwire but drifted inches wide.

Just two minutes later, Kenya believed they had seized the lead as Lenkupae found himself one-on-one with Mbaynassem. He opted for a chip shot, but the keeper expertly retreated to avert a goal.

The two teams are set to face each other again on Tuesday, June 10, at the same venue. Kenya utilised this friendly as part of their preparations for the upcoming 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), which they will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania in August.