Harambee Stars ready to roar against DR Congo in CHAN opener

The mood in the Harambee Stars camp on the eve of the highly anticipated African Nations Championship- CHAN 2024 group opener against DR Congo is high.

At the Kasarani Stadium where the match will be held, Kenya’s national football team has intensified its training, fine-tuning strategies and sharpening focus in preparation for one of the toughest matches in their group.

The CHAN  tournament, being co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania for the first time under the historic PAMOJA bid, offers a unique chance for home-based players to shine on the continental stage.

For Harambee Stars, Sunday’s match is more than a fixture it’s an opportunity to set the tone for the campaign, galvanize national support, and make history on home soil.

Team captain Abud Omar confirmed the players are in high spirits and brimming with confidence, particularly after President William Ruto’s recent visit to their training camp where he pledged government support and a potential Sh600 million reward if they clinch the championship.

“The team is in high spirits, especially after the President gave us his blessing. By God’s grace, we are going for nothing less than a win. We’ve trained for almost a month, and the coach has prepared us well. We are positive that we’re going to deliver good results,” Omar said.

For nearly two years, Harambee Stars were barred from international competition following a FIFA suspension due to government interference.

That exile made the team’s return even more meaningful this time, not just to compete but to redeem national pride in front of home fans.

“We’ve been playing away for so long. Now, playing on our own soil with fans behind us will give us a big motivation. We are appealing to Kenyans to come in large numbers we are ready to fight and retain the trophy here,” Omar added.

DR Congo, two-time CHAN champions and Kenya’s first opponent, are no pushovers. Still, Harambee Stars are unfazed. Omar stressed that the team is not intimidated by names or rankings.

“There is no notion of big or small teams all teams are equal once on the field. We’ve prepared well, and we’re ready to face any opponent with equal intensity,” he stated.

Omar also said senior players have been mentoring younger squad members, reminding them that this tournament could be a life-changing showcase.

“We’ve told the young players this is their time to shine. Scouts from big teams are watching. They know their dreams and they’re ready to prove themselves,” said Omar.

Head coach Benni McCarthy, the South African football legend appointed to lead the team, acknowledged that assembling a competitive squad takes time but he sees enormous potential.

“Rome wasn’t built in a day. You can’t just walk in and expect magic. But we’re building a magic squad. These boys aren’t playing in the biggest leagues, but they’re here on merit. This is a national team, and we’re selecting the best we have,” he said.

McCarthy noted that the match against DR Congo, the toughest in their group, will set the rhythm for the rest of the tournament.

“In any major tournament, how you start is important it sets the pace. But if the first game doesn’t go our way, it’s not the end of the world. Even Argentina lost their opener in Qatar and still won the World Cup,” he stated.

The coach admitted that narrowing down his squad to a match-day eleven has been difficult, describing it as a “headache.”

“We have 23 players in camp and choosing just 11 is tough. Everyone has trained well. The group is motivated, and we’ll give our best in this opening match,” McCarthy said.

Defender Mike Kibwage echoed the positive energy within the team, acknowledging the enormous pressure of carrying a nation’s expectations.

“The mood in camp is high and we expect a win But it’s not easy we are carrying the hopes and aspirations of more than 54 million Kenyans. That pressure is heavy, but we are ready,” said Kibwage.

Goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo emphasized the long-term goal, which goes beyond CHAN to include Kenya’s World Cup 2026 ambitions.

“We are training with purpose. Everyone is giving their best. With the new federation and coaching team, we believe this is the start of something big,” he said.

Kenya finds itself in a challenging group alongside DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia the three sides with strong CHAN pedigrees. However, for the Harambee Stars, the focus is on one game at a time, starting Sunday.

“This is our chance to make history. We want to make every Kenyan proud. We are playing for pride, redemption, and the hope of rewriting Kenya’s football story right at home,” said Omar.