CHAN 2024: High stakes as Kenya fights to avoid Tanzania in quarter-finals
Harambee Stars players during a training session ahead of their clash with Zambia on August 17, 2025, at Kasarani Stadium. The match kicks off at 3pm. Courtesy photo
Kenya’s Harambee Stars face Zambia on Sunday (today) with qualification in their own hands, but the mathematics of Group A could still play cruel tricks.
At the same time that Kenya meet Zambia at Kasarani, Morocco and DR Congo will be battling it out in another high-voltage clash that could shape who tops the group and who risks elimination.
A win over Zambia would put Kenya on 10 points, cementing top spot and securing a safe passage to the quarter-finals.
A draw, taking the Stars to eight(8) points, would also likely be enough to advance, though it could leave them second if Morocco or DR Congo both reach nine(9) points.
But a defeat would leave Kenya stranded on seven(7) points, vulnerable to being overtaken if both Morocco and DR Congo win their final games. That is where the stakes sharpen--finishing second could set up a quarter-final against neighbours Tanzania in Dar es Salaam. It would be a clash that is both fiery and daunting.
President William Ruto has sought to lift spirits ahead of the Zambia tie. Meeting the players at the Pullman Hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi, he promised a new incentive of SH2.5 million per player for a victory. This builds on his earlier pledges of Sh1 million for every win and Sh500,000 for a draw.
The President went further, introducing a reward of a two-bedroom affordable house and Sh1 million for each player should Kenya reach the semi-finals.
“You’ve made us dream again,” Dr Ruto told the team, recalling their hard-fought victory over Morocco.
“The Harambee Stars are proof of what unity can achieve. We stand behind you, praying that this time we win CHAN because it is within close reach.”
Group A standings
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| Kenya | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Morocco | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
| DR Congo | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| Angola | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -3 | 4 |
| Zambia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | -5 | 0 |
Scenarios
Win vs Zambia – 10 points, top the group, safe.
Draw vs Zambia – 8 points; qualification almost certain, top spot depends on Morocco/DR Congo.
Lose vs Zambia – 7 points; risk elimination if both Morocco and DR Congo win. Goal difference then comes into play.
CAF has reduced stadium capacity to 60 percent, limiting attendance to around 27,000 at Kasarani after safety breaches during Kenya’s game against Morocco.
The move comes after fans forced their way inside, causing overcrowding in restricted areas.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has asked MPs Ronald Karauri (Kasarani), TJ Kajwang (Ruaraka), Anthony Oluoch (Mathare) and Augustine Mwafrika (Roysambu) to appeal to their supporters to exercise restraint and avoid a repeat.
“We must avoid creating security mistakes that could jeopardise Kenya’s reputation and its hosting of AFCON 2027,” Speaker Wetang’ula said.
