CHAN: Angola coach Gonçalves hits out at 10-man Kenya for wasting ‘a lot of time’

Angola national team coach Pedro Gonçalves has hit out at Kenya for their strategy to play a defensive game during their 1-1 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) Group A draw at Kasarani Stadium on Thursday.

During the Group A clash, the Palancas Negras took advantage of a mistake by Kenya defenders to take the lead with only seven minutes played when Jó Paciência slotted home a low shot after a well-worked move involving Beni Jetour.

However, Kenya responded in the 17th minute when Austin Odhiambo was fouled inside the area, and the referee pointed to the spot. Odhiambo dusted himself off to send the Angola keeper the wrong way and level matters.

But a red card to Kenya’s Mavin Nabwire in the 21st minute, swung the numerical advantage to Angola for the remaining 70 minutes plus, but it was Kenya, who ended the game with a vital point.

“Kenya played well down with 10 men, unfortunately they were wasting a lot of time. You saw when the player got the red card, the goalkeeper just fell down. We can’t promote that kind of attitude,” Gonçalves told reporters after the game.

Angola’s draw left them with one point and needing a win in their final game against DR Congo to have any hopes of progressing. For Kenya, the draw helped them to go top of Group A with four points from two matches, ahead of Morocco and DR Congo who both have three.