Harambee Stars: From underdogs to title contenders

Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar and Masoud Juma celebrate after Ryam Ogam scored against Zambia's Chipolopolo during their 2024 CHAN tournament match at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, on August 17, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard] Many are asking if Kenya can perform like this without their international based players led by captain Michael Olunga, then what stops Harambee Stars from shinning globally like Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Ivory Coast and Nigeria, some of Africa's greatest teams today? Harambee Stars produced one of their best ever tournament runs as they finished unbeaten and top of Group A in the just concluded 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) preliminary matches. Drawn in the so-called "Group of Death" with two-time Chan winners Morocco and DR Congo and also heavyweights Zambia and Angola, the Stars shocked many by defying the odds to collect 10 points from four matches and seal a home quarter-final berth in Nairobi against Madagascar set for this Friday. The hero of the final group match was Ryan Ogam, who scored the only goal last Sunday as Kenya edged Zambia 1-0. Ogam has been central to Kenya's success, having also netted the famous winner in the 1-0 victory over two-time champions Morocco. His goals ensured Kenya avoided a tough away quarter-final in Dar es Salaam and instead will enjoy the support of home fans at Kasarani. Kenya's journey began with a narrow but important 1-0 win over DR Congo, where Gor Mahia's Austine Odhiambo delivered the decisive strike. That result set the tone for a determined campaign. Stars' fighting spirit was tested in the second match against Angola when they played with 10 men for more than 70 minutes. Despite the disadvantage, Harambee Stars battled to a 1-1 draw, earning praise from fans, pundits and ex-players for their resilience. The defining moment came against Morocco. Again reduced to 10 men, Kenya showed discipline and courage to claim a 1-0 win, Ogam once again delivering in front of goal. The shock victory boosted Kenya's hopes, and when DR Congo later defeated Angola 2-0, Stars were guaranteed a place in the quarter-finals. However, top spot was not yet secured. Against Zambia, Kenya needed a win to finish top, and Ogam's composed finish in the 75th minute sealed the deal. The result meant Zambia exited the tournament without a single point, while Kenya marched on to the last eight unbeaten. South African tactician Benni McCarthy, who has been credited with transforming the team's mentality, praised his players' fighting spirit after the Zambia match. "When everybody said Group of Death, we would probably have had zero points after four games, but we found ourselves sitting on top of the mountain, and now we really want to enjoy that view on top of that mountain," McCarthy said. For McCarthy's side, the achievement was not just about reaching the knockouts, but about proving their credentials as serious title contenders. Off the pitch, Kenyan fans have played a major role in fueling the team's dream run. Kasarani has been a sea of red and white during matches, with supporters singing, drumming and cheering the team throughout. On Sunday, despite sanctions limiting attendance to 27,000 after earlier security breaches, thousands more painted Nairobi in national colours, gathering at designated fan zones such as Tom Mboya Street to follow the action live. Kenya will now turn their focus to Madagascar in the quarter-finals.

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Harambee Stars: From underdogs to title contenders

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