CHAN 2024: Siraj Mohammed Reveals How Benni McCarthy's Masterplan Kept 10-Man Harambee Stars Calm

Newly-unveiled Gor Mahia defender Siraj Mohammed has opened up about how Benni McCarthy’s tactics have been a game-changer in Harambee Stars' campaign at the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).

Harambee Stars started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over two-time CHAN champions DR Congo at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The Kenyan team then held Angola to a 1-1 draw in their second CHAN 2024 group stage match. Angola were fresh from losing 2-0 to Morocco in their opening match.

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Harambee Stars stunned the masses as they claimed a 1-0 victory over two-time champions Morocco. In their matches against Angola and Morocco, Harambee Stars were red-carded and were forced to play with one player less.

Siraj Mohammed made his debut in the Harambee Stars match against Morocco, and thanks to Benni McCarthy, he was able to compose himself to the end of the match.

The former Bandari FC star revealed that Benni McCarthy’s tactics have been instrumental and teaching to learn how to play even when they are less.

He further pointed out that the fans also played a huge role in their success, as many of them believed that they would not triumph, but they worked around the clock and proved them wrong.

Siraj Mohammed is confident that following Harambee Stars’ win over Morocco, the standards of Kenyan football are steadily rising.

“This is not the first red card because even against Angola, we were given a red card, but there is a strategy that the coach has given us, and we are following it and having an easy time on the pitch. The game was a positive one, the most important thing is that we scored early in the game,” Siraj Mohammed said after the match.

“The win against Morocco demonstrates the progress we have made as Kenyans in terms of football, and I hope fans will continue to come. They thought we would be beaten playing against Morocco, but we have risen to the occasion. I’m a mastermind.”

Harambee Stars now face Zambia in their last group stage match on Sunday, August 17, and all eyes will be on the players to impress and have a smooth sailing to the quarterfinal.