Kenya’s Harambee Stars have been placed in a tough group for the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), which will take place in August 2025. The team, which will co-host the tournament alongside Tanzania and Uganda, has been drawn into Group A, where they will face Morocco, Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and Zambia. This group has been dubbed the “group of death” by Football Kenya Federation Vice President McDonald Mariga, given the strength of the teams involved.
The 2024 CHAN is set to be a historic tournament, as it will be hosted by three nations Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda across five venues. Kenya will use two main stadiums for the competition: Nyayo National Stadium, which has a capacity of 18,000, and the Moi International Sports Centre, which can hold 55,000 spectators. The expanded hosting arrangement has raised the stakes for the tournament, with high expectations placed on the Harambee Stars to perform well in front of their home crowd.
Initially scheduled for February 2024, the tournament was postponed by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), allowing the host nations, including Kenya, an additional seven months to prepare. This delay has provided Kenya’s national team with more time to fine-tune their preparations, which included participation in the Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar. The competition offered valuable match experience, and the team is now looking forward to facing some of Africa’s best teams in the tournament.
The 2024 CHAN will feature 19 teams, divided into four groups. Groups A, B, and C will each consist of five teams, while Group D will have four teams. The top teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals, setting the stage for intense and competitive matches.
In Group A, Kenya will face Morocco, Angola, DRC, and Zambia. Morocco, one of Africa’s strongest teams, will present a significant challenge. The Moroccan side has a rich history in African football and will be looking to add another title to their collection. Angola, with its experienced squad, is also a formidable opponent, while DRC, known for their physical and aggressive style of play, will be a tough test. Zambia, the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) champions, will bring their own set of challenges to the group.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars will need to be at their best to progress from this group. The team has shown promise in recent years, and their home advantage could play a crucial role in their performance. However, the competition in Group A will be fierce, and Kenya will need to rely on a strong team effort and tactical discipline to navigate the challenges posed by these top-tier teams.
In Group B, Tanzania will face Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic (CAR). This group also promises to be highly competitive, with teams like Burkina Faso and Madagascar having solid records in African football.
Group C will see Uganda face Niger, Guinea, and two teams yet to be determined. The Ugandans will be looking to make a strong impression in front of their home fans, while Niger and Guinea are also expected to be tough competitors.
Group D, consisting of Senegal, Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria, is another highly competitive group. Senegal, as one of Africa’s top footballing nations, will be the team to watch, but the other teams in the group, including Nigeria, Sudan, and Congo, will provide stiff competition.
With the expanded format and the high level of competition, the 2024 CHAN promises to be an exciting and unpredictable tournament. Kenya’s Harambee Stars will need to be at their best if they are to progress from their challenging group and make a deep run in the tournament.
