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CAF
02-08-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Kenya v DR Congo: Hosts set for litmus test in high-stakes Group A showdown
The Harambee Stars of Kenya will begin their historic journey in the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 on Sunday with a mouthwatering Group A clash against two-time champions DR Congo at the iconic Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. This opening fixture marks Kenya's return to the continental stage and promises to set the tone for what is expected to be one of the most competitive editions of the tournament to date. With five nations battling for just two quarter-final slots in Group A, every match takes on added significance — and the hosts are under pressure to deliver from the very first whistle. Kenya: Resilience tested as McCarthy's men eye dream start For head coach Benni McCarthy, Sunday's match represents the culmination of months of rebuilding and preparation — albeit with notable challenges along the way. Appointed in March, the South African tactician has infused the Harambee Stars with confidence and modern tactical flair, but the team's build-up to the tournament has been marred by unexpected player departures and fitness concerns. Key attackers Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro — the FKF Premier League's top two scorers — were initially part of the squad before sealing moves to Zambian club Power Dynamos. Rising teenage talent Mohamed Bajaber followed suit, completing a high-profile transfer to Simba SC in Tanzania on the eve of the competition. In addition, Bandari defender Pamba Swaleh was ruled out due to a medical condition, while Kenya Police midfielder Brian Musa suffered a knee injury, further depleting the squad's depth. McCarthy, however, remains upbeat. 'We've had solid preparations with tremendous backing from the government,' he said during the pre-match press conference. 'Yes, we've faced setbacks, but the players have shown great hunger and drive. Choosing the starting XI has been tough, but I'm confident that whoever takes the pitch will make the country proud.' The team received a massive morale boost with a surprise visit from President William Ruto, who shared breakfast with the squad and announced a substantial incentive package should the team win the tournament. 'The president's gesture has energized the entire group,' McCarthy added. 'We're motivated not just by rewards, but by the pride of representing Kenya on home soil.' DR Congo: Redemption mission begins under Otis Ngoma On the opposite side, DR Congo — the most successful team in CHAN history with two titles (2009 and 2016) — arrive with unfinished business. The Leopards endured a disappointing outing in Algeria two years ago, exiting at the group stage without a single goal. Coach Otis Ngoma Kondi is determined to right those wrongs. 'We are not here for tourism,' he said emphatically. 'It's a competition. The conditions here in Kenya are great, but we're fully focused on football.' Despite a shortened preparation period and only one friendly match before kickoff, Ngoma believes his squad is ready. 'Our first goal is to reach the quarter-finals,' he added. 'We want to erase the memory of Algeria and go as far as possible — maybe even win it for a third time.' Historic clash at a packed Kasarani Kenya and DR Congo have met seven times previously, most recently in friendly matches in 2016, 2017, and 2019. The Harambee Stars won the first two and drew the third 1-1 in Spain. This time, however, the stakes are much higher. The 60,000-capacity Kasarani Stadium is sold out, and the atmosphere is expected to be electric as Kenyan fans rally behind their team. The Leopards, known for their physical style and tactical maturity, will look to quiet the home crowd and impose their experience. Group A outlook Following the DR Congo tie, Kenya will face Angola on Thursday 7 August and Morocco on Sunday 10 August. The Harambee Stars will conclude their group stage campaign against Zambia on 17 August. With powerhouses like Morocco, Angola, and Zambia in the same group, the margin for error is slim. Both teams know that a win on Sunday could be pivotal to their quarter-final hopes. Match Details Fixture: Kenya vs DR Congo Date: Sunday 3 August 2024 Kick-off: 15:00 local time (1200 GMT) Venue: Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi Group: A
CAF
14-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
19 days to go: CHAN home advantage will drive us
Published: Monday, 14 July 2025 Kenya captain Aboud Omar says playing on home soil at the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 is a source of motivation rather than pressure for the Harambee Stars. The East African nation is set to make its debut in the competition and has been drawn in a challenging Group A alongside former champions DR Congo and Morocco, as well as Zambia and Angola. 'Playing at home is a huge advantage for us and not really pressure,' said Omar. 'Of course, there is huge expectation from everyone that we will do well, but we are turning that into motivation. "We have some experienced players in the team, and we have played under immense pressure before, so this will not be tough on us.' All of Kenya's group stage matches will be played at the iconic Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi, a venue that Omar believes can be their fortress during the tournament. Kenya opens its campaign against DR Congo on August 3, and Omar insists they have the quality and mentality to start strongly. 'It is a tough group, but to be the best, you have to beat the best,' said Omar, who recently helped Police FC clinch the FKF Premier League title. 'We are focused on our preparation at the moment and just ensuring we have a team that plays together and plays with heart.' The Harambee Stars began residential training this week as the build-up to the tournament intensifies. The players and technical staff are now working to build cohesion and readiness ahead of their historic debut. With just weeks to go, excitement continues to build across the country, particularly in the capital Nairobi, where fans are gearing up to support the national team in what promises to be a memorable campaign on home soil.
CAF
14-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Kenya's captain Omar: CHAN home advantage will drive us, not pressure us
Published: Sunday, 13 July 2025 Kenya captain Aboud Omar says playing on home soil at the upcoming TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 is a source of motivation rather than pressure for the Harambee Stars. The East African nation is set to make its debut in the competition and has been drawn in a challenging Group A alongside former champions DR Congo and Morocco, as well as Zambia and Angola. 'Playing at home is a huge advantage for us and not really pressure,' said Omar. 'Of course, there is huge expectation from everyone that we will do well, but we are turning that into motivation. "We have some experienced players in the team, and we have played under immense pressure before, so this will not be tough on us.' All of Kenya's group stage matches will be played at the iconic Moi Sports Centre Kasarani in Nairobi, a venue that Omar believes can be their fortress during the tournament. Kenya opens its campaign against DR Congo on August 3, and Omar insists they have the quality and mentality to start strongly. 'It is a tough group, but to be the best, you have to beat the best,' said Omar, who recently helped Police FC clinch the FKF Premier League title. 'We are focused on our preparation at the moment and just ensuring we have a team that plays together and plays with heart.' The Harambee Stars began residential training this week as the build-up to the tournament intensifies. The players and technical staff are now working to build cohesion and readiness ahead of their historic debut. With just weeks to go, excitement continues to build across the country, particularly in the capital Nairobi, where fans are gearing up to support the national team in what promises to be a memorable campaign on home soil.
CAF
03-07-2025
- Sport
- CAF
McCarthy names provisional TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024 Harambee Stars squad
Kenya's head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled a 30-man provisional squad that will begin preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, exactly one month before the Harambee Stars play their opening match of the tournament. Kenya will co-host the biennial Continental showpiece alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania between 02 – 30 August 2025. Former champions and FKF Premier League's runners up Gor Mahia and Bandari FC have each contributed five players to the squad while Police FC who clinched the league title for the first time ever have four players in the 30-man list. The Ulinzi Stars duo of Staphod Odhiambo and Yakeen Muteheli will drape in national colours for the first time ever after earning their debut call ups. Meanwhile, Tusker FC goalkeeper Brian Opondo will train for the first time ever with the national team. He was called up for the last World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and The Gambia, but was not able to join up for camp. In attack, coach McCarthy has included the top three scorers from the just concluded season, with Moses Shummah (17), Emmanuel Osoro (16) and Ryan Ogam (15) all getting a nod to show their scoring prowess on the Continental stage. Ogam, who plays for Tusker FC, missed most of the second leg with a knee injury and only returned for the final game of the season, playing 45 minutes. He scored 15 goals in 19 appearances for the Brewers. McCarthy's team is scheduled to report for camp on 10 July, to begin preparation for their debut in the tournament tailor-made for local based players. The Harambee Stars have been drawn in Group A alongside DR Congo, Morocco, Angola and Zambia. They kick off their campaign against 2016 Champions DRC on 3 August at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani. FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC) Defenders Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Manzur Suleiman (KCB), Pamba Swaleh (Bandari FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police),Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Michael Kibwage (Tusker), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Kevin Okumu (KCB) Midfielders Brian Musa( Kenya Police), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards), Keith Imbali (Shabana), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB), Staphod Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia) Forwards Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), David Sakwa (Bandari), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta), Yakeen Muteheli (Ulinzi Stars), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka), Ryan Ogam (Tusker),Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari)
CAF
19-03-2025
- Sport
- CAF
Kenya seeking to make push for World Cup history
Published: Wednesday, 19 March 2025 Kenya's captain Michael Olunga believes the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification for the Harambee Stars remains open, as they charge towards the next two rounds of fixtures this coming week. Kenya is placed fourth in Group F with five points, five behind leaders Ivory Coast. They play Gambia away in Abidjan this Thursday, before welcoming Gabon at home on Sunday, their first home fixture in four years. A win in both matches can take them as high up as second if, the other results go their way, and it is with this in mind that Olunga has charged his teammates to give 100 percent to seek for back to back wins. 'We are looking forward to the next two fixtures which will be very tough but I believe the group is still open. We are facing Gambia away which will be a tough match. Gambia has emerged as one of the strong teams in Africa and we know it is not going to be an easy match,' Olunga said, as the team departed for Abidjan. He added; 'We then have a home game against Gabon which will be equally tough but we are motivated for that because it is our first home game in four years and we would want to give our home fans a good performance.' Gambia is coached by Irishman Jonathan McKinstry, who spent two years with Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and led them to the FKF Premier League title before he departed. The Kenyan scene is one he knows too well, and Olunga believes that will be a factor when the two sides clash. However, the captain, who plays his club football in Qatar with Al Duhail, says the team is psyched up for a positive start under new coach Benni McCarthy who was just recently appointed. The South African tactician has had less than two weeks to assemble a squad, and has only trained for three days with a group of locally based players. 'Everyone is looking forward to the first assignment of the year with a new coach and we hope we will have a positive start. We have to be patient with the team because the dynamics are now different as we have to adapt to a new style of play but I am really confident of what this young Kenyan team can do,' Olunga added. McCarthy, in his speech after being appointed coach, also reiterated that Kenya still has a good chance of qualification for the World Cup, and said they will give a good push in the remaining matches.
