Kenya’s Harambee Stars have lit up the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) with their unbeaten run to the quarter-finals, but fans eager for an East African derby will have to wait.
The tournament pathway means that Kenya can only meet either Tanzania or Uganda in the final, should they get there.
Already, six teams have confirmed their places in the last eight: Kenya, Morocco, Tanzania, Madagascar, Uganda, and Algeria. Two more will join them from Group D, where defending champions Senegal, Sudan, and Congo are still in the mix.
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Kenya’s immediate task is clear. On Friday, Harambee Stars will host Madagascar in Nairobi for their quarter-final clash. A win would set up a semi-final date with the victor of the Algeria versus Group D runners-up match.
That means Kenya’s route to the final could include Algeria, Sudan, Congo, or even Senegal, depending on how Group D unfolds.
Meanwhile, Tanzania will battle Morocco in another quarter-final, and Uganda, who topped Group C, will face the second-placed team from Group D.
If Tanzania defeat Morocco, they will meet either Uganda or the Group D challenger in the semi-finals. This guarantees one thing: Uganda and Tanzania could face each other in the semis, setting up an all-East African showdown before the final.
For Kenya, this means the earliest chance of facing Uganda or Tanzania will be in the championship match itself. Anything short of a final appearance will deny fans the much-anticipated derby.
The hunger for such a clash is already evident off the pitch. On social media, Kenyan and Tanzanian fans are engaged in heated banter, each side claiming superiority.
Tanzanian supporters are confident after their Taifa Stars impressed in the group stages, while Kenyans point to Harambee Stars’ unbeaten run in the so-called “Group of Death” as proof they are the kings of East African football.
Uganda, not to be left behind, boasts of topping their group with a strong performance.
Kenya’s journey so far has been remarkable. Drawn against heavyweights Morocco, Zambia, DR Congo, and Angola, the Stars defied expectations to finish top with 10 points.
The campaign began with a 1-0 win over DR Congo, thanks to Austine Odhiambo’s goal. Against Angola, Kenya fought hard for a 1-1 draw despite playing with 10 men for over 70 minutes.
The turning point came when Kenya shocked Morocco with another 1-0 victory, Ryan Ogam scoring the winner in a night that sent Kasarani into wild celebrations. Ogam repeated his heroics against Zambia, netting the decisive goal to seal Kenya’s top spot and secure home advantage for the quarter-finals.
Coach Benni McCarthy has praised his team’s discipline and character, pointing out that Kenya’s ability to grind out results under pressure has been key. But he knows that the road ahead is even tougher.
The prospect of a packed Kasarani stadium hosting an East African derby in the Chan final has already captured imaginations.
It would not only settle online debates but also showcase the growing strength of East African football.
But the message is simple—Kenya must first do their job by beating Madagascar, conquer their semi-final opponent, and book a ticket to the final.
Additionally, their East African rivals must also up their game and beat their opponents.