Benni McCarthy Shares Manzur Okwaro’s Role in Breaking Angola, Issues Worrying Update on Masoud Juma

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy plans to set a little differently when his team faces Angola in their second match at the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

McCarthy is hoping to keep his team’s unblemished run when they face Angola on Thursday night, having started with a 1-0 win over DR Congo on Sunday, but knows the COSAFA Cup winners present a different challenge.

Angola are also looking for a win, after starting with a 2-0 defeat to Morocco, and McCarthy is aware of how dangerous they can be even after their loss to Morocco, hence the need to shake up things tactically at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday.

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“They play 3-4-3, they press high and it is all about focusing not about panicking,” McCarthy said in his pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

“It was the first time for many of them [against DR Congo]. We are very comfortable on the ball, we work a lot on playing from the back and if we can beat the first press and get into the final third, we need to be clinical. If we are clinical, we have a chance,” added the South African coach.

While not wanting give out much of his tactical plans, McCarthy went into more details over how youngster Manzur Okwaro is integral to how he wants to play.

“We set up to our comfort to cause a problem to our opposition. It gives us comfort because the ones on the ball do that and Manzur gives us the edge if you want to press,” he added. “He gives us the flexibility to play but we want to have an element of surprise so I will not give out much.”

McCarthy confirmed that striker Masoud Juma is doubtful for the game after picking up a minor injury against DR Congo but will have a full squad to choose from besides the veteran forward.