Ryan Ogam Reveals Threat from Benni McCarthy That Sparked Harambee Stars into Life

Harambee Stars striker Ryan Ogam has shared some of the behind-the-scenes pressures that they had to endure to ensure they performed well at the CHAN 2024 tournament.

Kenya topped what was seen as the ‘Group of Death’ that had Morocco, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia, despite being seen as the underdogs, and a lot of reasons have been given for their great run that saw them reach the quarter-final.

Ogam was among those who impressed, scoring two goals, both match winners against Morocco and Zambia, and his good show has since earned him a transfer to Austrian Bundesliga club Wolfsberger.

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However, heading into their final group stage match against Zambia, Kenya had already qualified for the quarter-final but needed victory to top the group and avoid facing neighbours Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.

The was, however, a tense match which Kenya dominate in the first half but could not find a goal until the 75th minute when Ogam slotted home from close range after being played in by Boniface Muchiri.

“That game was important for us but it was difficult. At the start, we were dominating the play, doing everything but we were not scoring,” Ogam told NTV.

The striker then revealed how a threat from coach Benni McCarthy at halftime sparked them into life after the break as they went on to find the breakthrough 15 minutes from time.

“Going to the dressing room at halftime, coach Benni was harsh on us. He was saying that were just playing for the sake. Not going forward, not creating chances,” Ogam said.

“We had to score because he told us in the next 10 minutes if we are not scoring, all the attackers would be benched. It was pressure on us and it was the best moment in my career.”

To show his poacher’s instinct, Ogam divulged how he was already thinking about the way he would execute his goal even before Muchiri played in the ball.

“Muchiri found me in the box and even before he made the pass, I just thought that if he gives me the pass, I should just turn and shoot and that is what I did and at the end of the day we won,” he added.

Ogam will be looking to find the target again as Harambee Stars face The Gambia in a World Cup qualifier at Kasarani Stadium on Friday.