Benni McCarthyâ??s midfield gamble pays off in Kenyaâ??s historic CHAN win

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy’s tactical switch to play defender Manzur Suleiman in midfield proved a masterstroke as Kenya secured a 1–0 win over DR Congo in their CHAN 2024 opener.

Suleiman, a natural centre-back, was surprisingly deployed as a defensive midfielder, a move that disrupted DR Congo’s attacking rhythm and gave Kenya better control in the middle of the park.

“I initially considered playing him at left-back based on what I saw in our friendlies,” McCarthy revealed. “But after analysing his attributes, I felt he was a perfect fit in midfield. He’s young, energetic, and brave—just what we needed.”

Suleiman’s performance allowed Alpha Onyango and Austine Odhiambo to play more freely. The tactical shift helped Kenya dominate large periods of the game, and Onyango’s display earned him the Man of the Match award.

“He did one hell of a job protecting our back four—that’s exactly what we needed,” McCarthy said of Suleiman.

McCarthy also lauded Onyango for making the midfield “tick,” crediting his ball distribution and defensive cover as vital to Kenya’s success.

The tactical boldness shown by the former South African international underlines his intent to make Kenya competitive in their first-ever CHAN campaign.

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