Summary:
With only four days to go before their first-ever appearance in the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, Kenya’s Harambee Stars have made late squad changes to address fitness issues. Coach Benni McCarthy has added Tusker’s Chris Erambo and Shabana’s Brian Michira, with Sofapaka’s Edward Omondi also recalled. Kenya will face DR Congo in their CHAN Group A opener on Sunday, August 3rd at Nyayo National Stadium.
With just four days to go before CHAN 2024 kicks off, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has made last-minute squad changes to strengthen his team ahead of their highly anticipated Group A clash against DR Congo.
The 2024 edition of the CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN), which Kenya is co-hosting with Uganda and Tanzania, officially kicks off this weekend. The Harambee Stars will play their opening match on Sunday, August 3rd, at Nyayo National Stadium, facing off against two-time champions DR Congo.
Squad Adjustments and Injury Concerns
In his latest update, McCarthy has called up Chris Erambo, a defensive midfielder from Tusker FC, and forward Brian Michira of Shabana FC to reinforce the squad. Edward Omondi of Sofapaka FC, previously part of the provisional squad, has also been reinstated.
These changes are aimed at covering key gaps as injury concerns mount ahead of the opener. Mohamed Bejaber, one of Kenya’s most exciting attacking midfielders, remains a major doubt due to a thigh injury.
Other injury concerns include Brian Musa and Marvin Nabwire, both of whom are nursing knocks, casting uncertainty over their availability for the first group match.
High Hopes and Surging Fan Support
Despite these setbacks, optimism remains high in the Harambee Stars camp. The squad is energized by massive fan interest, with CHAN 2024 tickets selling out rapidly, especially for Kenya’s matches at Nyayo Stadium.
This CHAN tournament is of historic importance to Kenyan football. It marks Kenya’s first appearance at CHAN and only the second competitive international match in four years, following the team’s suspension by FIFA which ended in 2023.
In March 2025, Kenya made a triumphant return to international football by hosting Gabon in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier, an event that drew tens of thousands of passionate fans, underlining the country’s renewed enthusiasm for football.
Group A: A True Test of Character
Drawn into a challenging Group A, the Harambee Stars will face DR Congo, Angola, Morocco, and Zambia, all footballing powerhouses with a rich history in continental competition.
For Coach McCarthy, the challenge is twofold: building a cohesive team ready to compete at the highest level, and restoring national pride in a football culture that is undergoing a significant rebuild.
“We know it won’t be easy,” McCarthy previously said. “But this is our moment. We’re playing at home, we’ve got the fans behind us, and we are determined to give them something to believe in.”
Kenya CHAN 2024 Group A Fixtures at Nyayo National Stadium:
- Kenya vs DR Congo – Sunday, August 3 | 3:00 PM
- Angola vs Kenya – Thursday, August 7 | 7:00 PM
- Kenya vs Morocco – Sunday, August 10 | 3:00 PM
- Zambia vs Kenya – Sunday, August 17 | 3:00 PM
