Kenya’s Harambee Stars escaped with a crucial point after a dramatic VAR decision ruled out Angola’s last-minute winner in their tense CHAN 2024 clash at Kasarani Stadium.
How Did the Disallowed Goal Unfold?
With the match tied 1-1 deep into stoppage time, Angola’s substitute Joa Chingando Manha seemed to have stolen victory with a perfectly placed header past Bryne Omondi. The Wiliete Benguela forward evaded Alphonce Omija before slotting the ball home, sparking wild celebrations from the Angolan bench. Head coach Pedro Goncalves even dropped to his knees in relief, while many Kenyan fans began leaving the stadium in disappointment.
However, VAR intervened, and after a review, referee Sadou Ali signaled that the goal would not stand due to an offside in the build-up. Replays revealed that Manha had moved just ahead of Omija as the ball was delivered, making the finish invalid. The decision flipped the atmosphere instantly, with joy erupting in the Kenyan stands.
Why Was Kenya Playing With Ten Men?
Kenya had been battling with a man down for over 70 minutes after Marvin Nabwire was shown a straight red card for denying a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The dismissal forced head coach Benni McCarthy to reorganize his squad, relying on a compact defense to frustrate Angola. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Kenya created chances of their own but could not convert them.
The VAR decision became the talking point after the match, with divided opinions from fans and journalists. Seth Olale argued, “Personal Opinion. Angola should have been awarded that late goal,” while Michelle Katami praised the technology, saying, “VAR came through. That would have broken so many hearts.”
In a lighthearted moment, Harambee Stars players were spotted kissing the VAR booth after the final whistle, a playful gesture of gratitude for preserving their hard-fought draw. The 1-1 result leaves Kenya still in contention as CHAN 2024 group action heats up.
By Yockshard Enyendi
