How Ryan Ogam Shot Down Zambia’s ‘Copper Bullets’ Aims At Madagascar

By Dennis Mabuka

Kenya’s national team Harambee Stars now wait for Madagascar in the last eight after rounding off their TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) group matches with a deserved 1-0 victory against Zambia at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday.
After a 0-0 first half, Harambee Stars ensured they finished top of Group ‘A’ after Ryan Ogam found the back of the net in the 75th minute, after finishing off a cross from substitute Boniface Muchiri.

Having already booked their place in the knockout stages, Kenya went into the fixture knowing that only a win will guarantee them a top place finish, which will give them the advantage of playing their quarterfinal match on home soil.

Despite knowing what was at stake, Kenya looked shaky in the opening minutes as Zambia almost took the lead with only five minutes played. 

Kabaso Chongo, who plays for TP Mazembe, received a through pass at the right wing, but his shot took a deflection, before rolling out for corner kick.

Kenya’s response came almost immediately when Austin Odhiambo, who was returning to the starting XI having been benched in the 1-0 win against two-time CHAN champions Morocco, picked a loose ball from the middle of play before putting through Ogam, but the Tusker forward saw his effort go inches wide.
In the 15th minute, Harambee Stars missed another sitter. 

A free-kick delivered by Ben Stanley Omondi troubled Chipolopolo custodian Charles Kalumba, before defender Dominic Chanda reacted quickly to clear the danger with Ogam almost pulling a trigger.
Zambia midfielder Owen Tembo, who plays for champions Power Dynamos, became the first player to be booked in the 20th minute after a foul on Alpha Onyango.  Kenya began to completely dominate the game, exchanging passes and going on the attack but they still lacked the cutting edge upfront.
Zambia were provided with an opportunity to break the deadlock in the 40th minute. 

At the edge of the box, Chipolopolo under former Chelsea coach Avram Grant, had a free kick that could have been dangerous, but midfielder Prince Mumba hit it hard, straight at the goal and sending the ball over the crossbar.
Mumba’s effort became the best effort from either side as the two sides went into the half-time break still goalless. 

At the start of the second period, Mumba was yellow carded following a clumsy foul on Stanley Omondi.

Five minutes later, Kelvin Mwanza committed a foul in midfield, receiving a yellow card for his aggressive challenge, before Kelvin Kampamba, was also booked for arguing with the referee following the yellow card to Mwanza.

Both teams went for a double change in the 56th minute, Kenya’s McCarthy resting Austin Odhiambo and Daniel Sakwa for Masoud Juma and Boniface Muchiri while Zambia’s Mumba and Mwanza paved the way for Timothy Sichalwe, and Kenneth Kasanga.
After the changes, both teams lost some of their rhythm, with none posing as much threat in attack. Zambia were awarded a free kick just outside the box, which Kampamba took, but it went over the goal again.
The introduction of Muchiri and Juma paid off for Kenya as they took the lead in the 75th minute. Muchiri received a pass on the left from Juma, carried it into the middle of play and squared the pass to Ogam, who controlled it, turning in the area and unleashed a powerful shot, giving no chance for Kalumba.

This was the 35th meeting between Kenya and Zambia, with the Copper Bullets historically dominant with 21 wins to Kenya’s six. 

However, Kenya had triumphed in their most recent encounter, a 2-1 friendly in 2020.