Kenya ends a decade-long dry spell against Morocco
Sports
By
Mike Kihaki
| Aug 11, 2025
The rivalry between the two teams began more than half a century ago in 1972, when the Harambee Stars first locked horns with the Atlas Lions of Morocco at the African Cup of Nations.
Kenya was still finding its feet in continental football, a young side brimming with raw talent but lacking the experience of Africa’s established giants.
Morocco, already a powerhouse, edged that first meeting 1-0 a narrow scoreline that nevertheless set the tone for a rivalry steeped in resilience, pride, and the unyielding pursuit of respect.
In the decades that followed, Morocco often had the upper hand. The most humbling moment came in 1998, when the Lions roared to a 3-0 victory in what remains the most lopsided result between the two nations.
Yet even in defeat, Kenya’s passion never dimmed with players soldiering on in each clash with Morocco. To them, it was more than just a fixture but a test of heart against one of Africa’s most disciplined and technically gifted teams.
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In 1995, on home soil in Nairobi, the Harambee Stars wrote a new chapter in the Afro-Asian Cup of Nations qualifiers after beating Morocco 1-0, a victory. For years afterward, it was a dry spell for the Harambee Stars to shine over the Atlas Lions. The Morocco side maintained their dominance with a 1-0 friendly win in Marrakech in 2013, just a recent reminder. For a decade after that, Kenya searched for another breakthrough. The matches came and went, the hope never faded, but victory remained elusive.
It was until today during the Group A clash at CHAN 2024, staged at the iconic Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani Stadium, a match that would write a new chapter in this long rivalry. Having dominance over the Kenyan side for years, the Atlas Lions, confident and composed, arrived with the expectation of another win. But the Harambee Stars had other ideas.
From the first whistle, Kenya played with discipline, speed, and heart. The defense stood tall against Morocco’s waves of attack, the midfield fought for every inch, and the forwards pressed with hunger. Then came the decisive moment a swift move, a clinical finish that saw Kenya edge the Morocco side to stand tall at the top in Group A table standing.
For Morocco, Head coach Tarik Sektioui was leaving no room for doubt, the equation was simple. Victory means one foot in the knockout stages.
“Our main objective is to get through the first round and that means a victory against Kenya,” he declared on the eve of the match.
“The match against the host country will be approached with the same will and determination to seek the three points of victory.”
However, at the final whistle, the tables had turned against his side Kenya 1, Morocco 0. Even with the home team left 10 men down, a ten-year drought broken. A rivalry reborn. And a nation reminded that history is not only something to be remembered it is something to be rewritten.
Even Head coach Benni McCarthy, who famously scored against Morocco in the 1998 AFCON knew exactly what his players were up against.
“Morocco is a strong and well-organized team. It will be a tough match against one of the best teams not only in our group, but in the league,” he said.
But after the match, the Harambee Stars saw it as more than a win. It was a statement: that Kenya can stand tall with Africa’s best, that patience and perseverance bear fruit, and that even against a lion, the star can shine the brightest.
"If you remember, I played under a certain coach, José Mourinho, who was a master of the art of defending.
Playing with 10 men is hard, but Mourinho managed it perfectly, like it was an everyday thing. If you are in the lead, you protect it at all costs,” said McCarthy.