Okoth tips Harambee Stars to breeze past Madagascar in CHAN quaterfinal tie

Decorated former national team marksman, Mike Okoth, has tipped Harambee Stars to go past Madagascar in the CHAN quarter-finals this evening at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani. 

Okoth, who is based in Belgium, believes Kenya has a home advantage to count on against the unpredictable islanders, who have proved to be the dark horses of the tournament. 

“I think Harambee Stars have made us proud and performed well considering the challenges they encountered with the two red cards in the group stages. As a former player, I believe any game played in Kenya is very difficult to lose, thanks to the fans who have been there for the team since the event started,” said Okoth. 

Okoth described the appointment of Benni McCarthy as the head coach as a well-calculated risk—that is now bearing fruit—considering the South African had no international experience.

“McCarthy’s move was a well-calculated risk because, despite lacking management international experience, his exposure at the top of world football with Manchester United and his professional experience on the pitch were assets. I like his attitude, as it acts as a mirror for our young players and a good motivation to the whole nation,” added Okoth.

The former Kenyan international said the young players have reacted well to the responsibilities handed to them by McCarthy and expressed themselves very well despite the pressure on their shoulders. 

He believes the gaffer and his technical bench have shown everybody that with professionalism at the management level, the sky is the limit for the players.

“Winning the group of death that had two-time champions Morocco and DR Congo was not a fluke. It took a tactical masterclass to outdo the highly ranked Morocco, Congo, Angola and Zambia despite the red cards to Marvin Nabwire against Angola and Chrispine Erambo against Morocco,” he said 

“Playing Mansour Okwaro, Ryan Ogam and Daniel Sakari out of position and still getting the results displayed the confidence McCarthy has in the team,” Okoth added. 

However, Okoth warned that Madagascar are no pushover because ‘The Bareas’ were bronze medallists in CHAN 2022 edition held in Algeria, with a 1-0 win over Niger in the play-off on their first appearance. The last time Harambee Stars competed highly at the continental level was the 1987 All-African Games, where they fell to Egypt 1-0 in the final.

“It is an honour and joy to watch Kenya make such great strides in continental football. They have shown bravery, togetherness and confidence. We are well motivated and play at home, and I believe we have what it takes to topple Madagascar. I believe we can go all the way to the final and win the title on home soil,” said Okoth, who is the father of former Liverpool striker Arnold Origi. 

The former Shabana FC, Tusker and Genk man scored 18 goals for Kenya in 48 appearances from 1989 and 2004. He was among the scorers in the 3-0 win over Burkina Faso in the Afcon 2004 in Tunisia.

In the build-up to the match, coach McCarthy confirmed Edward Omondi, who missed Kenya’s clash against Zambia due to a minor injury, is fully fit for today’s match, leaving only suspended Tusker midfielder Crispine Erambo as the only unavailable player for selection.

Erambo is serving his second match ban following a straight red card against Morocco in their Group A clash last week.

Kenya has stars Austin Odhiambo and Ryan Ogam, who have two goals each, while Madagascar has Ramandimbisoa Toldo, who won ‘Man of the Match’ thrice in consecutive games against Burkina Faso, CAT and Mauritania.

“Kenya has had a full stadium for their matches, and that’s one of the reasons why the quarter-final will not be easy. We will do our best and try to progress to the semifinals,” said Madagascar head coach Romuald Felix in his pre-match interview.

The winner will battle either defending champions Senegal or co-hosts Uganda, who battle in Saturday’s quarter finals in next week’s semifinals.