Kasarani Stadium erupted in celebration on Sunday evening as Ryan Ogam’s powerful 75th-minute strike secured Kenya a 1-0 victory over Zambia, clinching top spot in CHAN Group A for the Harambee Stars.
The win was Kenya’s third of the group stage, adding to earlier triumphs over Morocco and the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with a 1-1 draw against Angola. The unbeaten run ensured Kenya finished the group phase with 10 points.
Ogam’s decisive left-footed finish inside the 18-yard box, set up by substitute Muchiri, finally broke through a resilient Zambian defence and sent the home fans into wild jubilation.
It was Ogam’s second goal of the tournament and underlined the impact of head coach Benni McCarthy’s tactical substitutions. Kenya’s defence, which has conceded just once in four matches—while playing most of the game with ten men against Angola—stood firm again to secure another clean sheet.
Following the victory, Harambee Stars are set to receive Sh2.5 million from the government as a reward for defeating Zambia and advancing to the CHAN 2024 quarterfinals.
The bonus, announced by President William Ruto after meeting the team earlier in the week, raises the players’ total earnings in the tournament to Ksh 5 million each. The President also pledged further rewards should the team progress beyond the quarterfinals, including Sh1 million per player and a two-bedroom affordable housing unit.
In the other Group A fixture, two-time champions Morocco defeated DR Congo 3-1 to secure second place with seven points. They will now face tournament co-hosts Tanzania, who topped Group B with 10 points, in a heavyweight quarterfinal clash.
Kenya will meet Madagascar, who finished second in Group B with seven points, in the quarterfinals at Kasarani on Friday, 22nd August. With home support and momentum on their side, the Harambee Stars will be aiming to extend their historic debut run at CHAN 2024.
