Kenya Crown Group A Dominance with 1-0 Win Over Zambia, Seal Quarter-Final Date with Madagascar
Kenya finished top of Group A with 10 points, followed closely by Morocco with nine. DR Congo, despite collecting six points, fell short in third place. Angola registered four points, while Zambia brought up the rear with none.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars confirmed their authority in Group A of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 with a narrow but deserved 1-0 victory over Zambia at a sold-out Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Sunday evening.
A decisive second-half strike from Ryan Ogam secured maximum points for the Stars, who finished unbeaten at the top of the so-called “Group of Death.” The win, coupled with Morocco’s 3-1 triumph over DR Congo in the other group fixture, ensured that both Kenya and Morocco advanced to the quarter-finals, leaving the Leopards stranded in third place and Zambia crashing out without a single point.
Kenya will now remain in Nairobi for a quarter-final showdown with Madagascar on Friday, while Morocco travel to Dar es Salaam to face hosts Tanzania in another enticing last-eight clash.
The highly competitive match looked destined for a tense finish until the 75th minute when substitute Boniface Muchiri carved open Zambia’s defence. Bursting down the right flank, Muchiri delivered a clever ball into the danger zone, which Ogam expertly controlled before slotting past goalkeeper Charles Kalumba.
The finish sent the 27,000-strong Nairobi crowd into raptures and was just reward for Kenya’s persistence. Despite enjoying long spells of possession and carving several opportunities, they had until then been frustrated by Kalumba, who produced a string of fine saves in an otherwise forgettable campaign for Zambia.
For head coach Benni McCarthy, the result went beyond progression. It was a statement of intent.
“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 before kick-off.
Kenya had already beaten Morocco and DR Congo earlier in the group stage, and the victory over Zambia sealed their status as the surprise package of the tournament. The Harambee Stars closed the group on 10 points, having scored six goals and conceded just one — statistics that highlight their growing tactical discipline and defensive solidity under McCarthy’s stewardship.
For Zambia, the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations champions, the defeat capped a miserable campaign in which they lost all four of their matches. Once regarded as one of Africa’s most consistent performers, the Chipolopolo exited bottom of the group without a single point.
Head coach Avram Grant, however, struck a note of optimism despite the disappointment.
“Our aim is to win. Yes, this is our last game, unfortunately. But this tournament was very important for me and for all the staff. It’s a new team, and we wanted to see who is available for the national team,” he said.
Zambia did show flashes of promise, particularly through Clatous Chama and Prince Mumba, who both came close to finding the net. But Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo was equal to the task, making several crucial interventions, including a brilliant late save to deny Kampamba.
The atmosphere inside Kasarani was electric, with the passionate home crowd pushing their side over the finish line. Defender Daniel Sakari had earlier stressed the importance of the fans’ backing, and the players responded with a resilient performance in the closing stages as Zambia mounted late pressure.
Muchiri nearly doubled Kenya’s lead in stoppage time with a thunderous strike from distance, but Kalumba tipped it over the bar to prevent further damage.
Kenya finished top of Group A with 10 points, followed closely by Morocco with nine. DR Congo, despite collecting six points, fell short in third place. Angola registered four points, while Zambia brought up the rear with none.
With momentum, confidence, and home advantage firmly in their favour, the Harambee Stars will now set their sights on Friday’s quarter-final clash against Madagascar in Nairobi. McCarthy’s charges have already exceeded expectations, but their performances suggest they are capable of going even further in the tournament.
As the knockout stages beckon, Kenya’s blend of tactical maturity, resilience, and attacking flair — backed by a passionate home crowd — makes them a team to watch closely in the race for the CHAN 2024 crown.
