Sunday Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024
Kenya v DR Congo – 3pm
Morocco v Angola – 6pm
Madagascar v Mauritania – 8pm
Monday
Niger v Guinea – 5pm
Uganda v Algeria – 8pm
As the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 kicks off in Nairobi, Kenya finds itself at a defining crossroads — not just competing, but hosting, and more critically, expected to deliver.
The Harambee Stars open their campaign on Sunday at a sold-out Kasarani Stadium, facing a formidable challenge in two-time CHAN champions DR Congo. But beyond the excitement of the occasion, this match carries deeper meaning: for a country with a complicated football past, it’s about proving they belong among the continent’s elite.
Group A is brutally competitive — five teams battling for just two spots in the quarterfinals — but the hosts’ draw against CHAN royalty couldn’t be more symbolic. It’s a reality check and a test of ambition, composure, and belief.
For coach Benni McCarthy, who took over just five months ago, the game is as much about asserting a new identity for Kenyan football as it is about chasing points. His task? Rebuild, reenergize, and inspire — all under the glaring lights of national expectation.
“We’ve worked hard, and the boys are hungry,” McCarthy said. “The squad may have changed, but the dream hasn’t.”
McCarthy’s preparations have been anything but smooth. Key forwards Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro left the squad for professional moves abroad, while teenage sensation Mohamed Bajaber also departed for Tanzanian giants Simba SC. Injuries to Pamba Swaleh and Brian Musa further reduced the options.
Still, the South African tactician insists the current squad — though altered — is primed for impact. “It’s been a challenge, but it’s also created opportunity. We’ve got young, motivated players ready to take their chance.”
Adding to the narrative, President William Ruto made a surprise visit to the squad’s camp, sharing breakfast and offering generous incentives for a strong tournament run.
But players insist they’re driven by more than money. “Representing Kenya at home is the ultimate motivation,” said a team official. “This is about respect, legacy, and rewriting our story.”
However, DR Congo, the most successful nation in CHAN history, arrive with quiet determination. After crashing out in the group stage in 2022 without scoring, the Leopards are here to correct that failure.
Coach Otis Ngoma has made their intent clear: “We’re not tourists. We came to compete.”
Despite minimal match preparation, DR Congo’s experience and tactical discipline remain a threat. They know how to win tournaments — and how to spoil a party.
With Morocco, Zambia, and Angola also lurking in Group A, there’s little room for error. Sunday’s clash is more than just an opener — it could define the rest of Kenya’s campaign.
For a team desperate to shed the underdog label and finally rise to the expectations of a football-hungry nation, the time is now.
