CHAN 2024 preparations have officially kicked into high gear in Kenya, where a sense of hope, determination, and national pride now pulses through every football conversation. For the first time in its history, Kenya is not only set to compete in the African Nations Championship—familiarly known as CHAN—but also poised to co-host this prestigious event alongside Uganda and Tanzania, adding further gravitas and emotional resonance for the local fans hungry for regional sporting glory.
Benni McCarthy’s vision and the local heartbeat
When South African football legend Benni McCarthy was handed the reins of the Harambee Stars, expectations soared. Not merely a tactician, McCarthy brings a reputation as a motivator and builder—precisely what’s needed for a side entering uncharted waters. He has wasted no time shaping a competitive and cohesive team, unveiling a formidable 30-man provisional squad drawn exclusively from the FKF Premier League, thereby shining a deserved spotlight on Kenya’s domestic football talent.
The importance of this strategy is clear. CHAN, after all, is a tournament fiercely reserved for players who ply their trade in their nation’s local leagues. By tapping into the very backbone of Kenyan football, McCarthy is establishing a squad that carries both the hunger for personal progression and the desire to make history on home turf.
Key players and clubs fueling the CHAN dream
Diving deeper into the squad list reveals a tapestry of talent, ambition, and remarkable narratives. The five domestic clubs contributing the highest numbers underline the vibrancy and depth of Kenya’s football ecosystem:
- Gor Mahia and Bandari top the list with five players apiece, offering a blend of defensive steel and midfield creativity
- Kenya Police—newly crowned FKF Premier League champions—have four players, a testament to their rapid growth and impressive league performance
- Tusker FC and Ulinzi Stars also feature prominently, each supplying three influential figures
Notably, Gor Mahia’s defensive duo Alphonse Omija and Sylvester Owino and midfield maestros Alpha Onyango and Austin Odhiambo bring both experience and youthful dynamism. From Bandari, goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo emerges as a leading candidate for the number one jersey, with stalwarts like Siraj Mohammed providing defensive resilience.
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Goals, inspiration, and the hunger for history
Up front, the attacking triad that leads the scoring charts in the Kenyan league forms the backbone of McCarthy’s offense. Moses Shumah of Kakamega Homeboyz, league top scorer with 17 goals, is flanked by Emmanuel Osoro (16, FC Talanta) and the returning Ryan Ogam (15, Tusker FC), who has battled injury but remains a potent threat.
Edward Omondi’s inclusion rewards his standout campaign for Sofapaka, while Mohammed Bajaber, a fan favorite who helped guide Kenya Police to a league title, is entrusted to bring both flair and grit. Bajaber, just 22, has lit up domestic and international stages and epitomizes the new generation now grabbing the national spotlight.
Youthful promise meets seasoned guidance
In the spirit of genuinely elevating local football, McCarthy’s selection is not just about star power. Fresh faces such as Keith Imbali (Shabana) and Ulinzi’s Staphod Odhiambo and Yakeen Muteheli signal a commitment to nurturing young, hungry footballers who view this CHAN as their springboard to continental, and even global, recognition.
As experienced coach Bob Oyugi notes, “The squad is complemented with both senior and young players and most of the players included have shown on merit they deserve. What I’m sure of is that we can have a strong first eleven from this team because many of them are performers.”
Strategic build-up: Four Nations Cup and tactical sharpening
Preparation for CHAN 2024 is serious business, evidenced by Kenya’s participation in the Cecafa Four Nations Cup in Arusha. This mini-tournament, running July 24-27 at the Samia Suluhu Hassan Stadium, offers the Stars matches against regional rivals Tanzania, Uganda, and South Sudan. Far from ceremonial, these matches will test Kenya’s structures and provide a real litmus—players know places in the final squad and starting eleven are still highly competitive.
After the Four Nations Cup, the Harambee Stars return to Nairobi for final tactical fine-tuning ahead of their first group stage clash, under the bright lights and roaring fans at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Stadium readiness and the home-factor could yet prove decisive in Kenya’s debut showing.
Infrastructure and organizational readiness
If the squad encapsulates Kenya’s ambition, then the infrastructure speaks to national and regional pride. Recent CAF inspections culminated with glowing endorsements for the Moi International Sports Centre, which will not only welcome Group A fixtures—headlined by Kenya versus giants DR Congo on August 3—but also the grand final on August 30.
Local Organising Committees, led by Nicholas Musonye, have worked hand-in-glove with CAF and government agencies. Operational readiness—from safety to broadcast logistics—has been prioritized. “We have been working tirelessly, day and night, to ensure everything is on track as we approach the tournament. The LOC has collaborated closely with CAF to adhere to the provided guidelines and timelines,” Musonye affirmed. Evans Achoki, from the Ministry of Sports, furthered this by praising government commitment and vowing to make CHAN 2024 a tournament the world will remember.
Group A – The gauntlet and the path forward
No one doubts the scale of the challenge ahead. Group A is football’s version of a baptism by fire: DR Congo (2009 and 2016 CHAN winners), Morocco (2018 and 2020 champions), Angola, and Zambia all bring heavyweight pedigree to the Nairobi stage.
- Kenya’s journey starts August 3 against the formidable DR Congo,
- next comes Angola on August 7,
- Morocco follows on August 10, and Zambia closes the group stage challenge on August 17.
Only the top two progress to the quarter-finals—a tough but exhilarating ride. Midfielder Alpha Onyango, well aware of the mountain to climb, still radiates bullish determination: “I am confident the team will give a good account of itself. It is a big advantage that Kenya will be playing at home. The players will need to give their best, taking each match as a final.”
Players’ voices: Defiance and belief
If the fixtures intimidate observers, then the players themselves seem galvanized by the underdog tag. Alphonse Omija, a Gor Mahia defender, puts it straight: “This is a competition we are hosting and everyone is already giving us the underdog tag because of how established and strong our opponents are, but that should not be the case.”
Mohammed Bajaber is equally bullish: “Success depends on our input and good preparation. With home support, we have to ensure we go far in the competition.”
The wider landscape: A region united in football
CHAN 2024 is not just Kenya’s moment—it is East Africa’s. The co-hosting arrangement is a testament to regional football unity, logistical mastery, and the shared hope of showcasing local talent to the world.
CAF’s final sign-offs and the sense of pan-African collaboration mark another kind of victory, no less important than what will play out on the field. For three nations, but particularly for the Harambee Stars, the countdown is more than just the tick of the clock to opening whistle. It’s a drumbeat of hope, pride, and the unbreakable will of footballers chasing dreams before their own fans.
Conclusion – Dreams on the rise
The stage is set. Kenya, with a squad bristling with local talent and coached by a continental luminary, stands ready to write a fresh story in African football. Preparation is locked in, venues sparkle, and a nation holds its collective breath. Whether as chroniclers of these moments or supporters in the stands, we witness—and become a part of—the unfolding narrative of the Harambee Stars at CHAN 2024. And that, more than any single result, is what makes this journey truly worth following.
