CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Breaks Silence on 'Morocco Must Fall' Mantra

Kenyan fans have already started the mantra ‘Morocco Must Fall’ ahead of Harambee Stars' match against the Atlas Lions on Sunday, August 10, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Harambee Stars have yet to lose any match in their African Nations Championship campaign. They started their campaign over DR Congo, where they secured a 1-0 victory before holding Angola to a 1-1 draw.

Harambee Stars are now gearing up to face Morocco in their third group stage match, and all eyes will be on them to deliver against the two-time CHAN champions. Morocco began their campaign against Angola, securing a 2-0 victory.

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Ahead of the match, and with Kenyan fans already backing Harambee Stars to shine against Morocco, Benni McCarthy has chosen to stay open-minded and avoid going with the flow.

Benni McCarthy insisted that fans are not the ones who will be on the pitch on Sunday, hence the decision to expect any outcome of the match, owing to the fact that Morocco is a strong team.

However, he believes that anything can happen in the match, but Harambee Stars have to be very careful. He added that Morocco have all it takes to go all the way and even win the tournament owing to the depth of their squad.

“Morocco must fall…tough statement, but like I said, I think we don’t play from what people outside say. We know we are the ones who step on that field, so we know how difficult things are,” Benni McCarthy said in a pre-match press conference.

“Like I said, they are a very good team, and they have the possibility of going all the way and winning this tournament, so we know the strength of the squad and where they are at as a national team.”

However, Benni McCarthy further explained that on game day, it will be all about who is capable of making a mark and not necessarily who has the best infrastructure and support.

He insisted that a team might have all the support, from financial to emotional, but they might fail to implement that, revealing that it will be all about the team that has the full desire to win.

Benni McCarthy added that Morocco remains a superior team, but after 90 minutes, the world of football will know the team that entered the match with the zeal to succeed.

“Just because someone has better organisation, infrastructure, or a more organised federation does not mean anything. This is because what you have off the pitch, you have to go on the pitch and prove it against 11,” Benni McCarthy added.

“For me, it’s about who has the biggest heart, determination, and the willpower to want to win the matches; that’s the one who will come victorious. They are superior, but come tomorrow, that’s when you show who is worthy of winning.

“For us, we don’t care what people will say, but just to know how hard we must work and if we show that, we have every chance of winning.”

Benni McCarthy remains confident that Harambee Stars will be able to deliver against a strong Moroccan squad, but has chosen to remain grounded amid the agenda being passed around by fans.