Bitter Harambee Stars' CHAN elimination should only offer hope into the future

A month of pure optimism and ecstasy reached its brutal and unexpected end under the night skies of Kasarani Stadium on Friday, 22 August, after valiant hosts Harambee Stars were sent packing by brave Madagascar on post-match penalties.

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It was a sight not to behold, as the match that began under the gaze of a setting sun culminated in the most painful of circumstances - crest-fallen bodies, tears, and utter disbelief.

©Mozzart Sport

Little Madagascar, buoyed by an unshakable belief that almost made a mockery of the fervent away atmosphere, had done it again, pulling off an incredible upset that they only saw coming.

The evening was not going their way when Alphonce Omija powered a bullet header past the wall christened Toldo, but their resilience paid at the end, The Barea needing expert strikes from the spot to delight in the sound of their aforementioned tormentor letting out a loud shriek as his nervy penalty sailed wide to confirm back-to-back CHAN semifinal appearances.

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How Kenya let two leads - in normal time and in post-match penalties - slip, will be a thing to ponder, as will be the deep dives into the murky world of refereeing controversies, Benni McCarthy's supposed faulty shuffling of the deck, Austine Odhiambo’s night out in the cold, and the choice of the men who fronted up when it mattered.

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All valid arguments, but which would in the end, go a long way in taking the shine off McCarthy and his band of tremendous boys.

As cruel as events unraveled, one could not help but stand in applause of every player and individual that stood the CHAN course, giving everything they had in what turned out to be a period of national unity amid wide political tension, and the not-so-mentioned world of sportswashing.

Based on the evidence on show, many would argue that if it ever reached a point Harambee Stars were going out, then they would embody their fighting spirit, and not let up - the script had everything going down to the last kick of the game, as it was on their fateful Friday.

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Despite Madagascar coach Romuald Rakotondrabe doing his best to describe his side as underdogs, it should not be left unsaid that they were still more experienced than Harambee Stars in this competition, having claimed bronze two years ago in the last edition, and only stopped by the tightest of margins by eventual champions Senegal.

Friday night was in many ways new territory for the hosts, who were taking part in only their first football tournament knockout of any kind since 1987, let alone being in their maiden African Nations Championships appearance.

To think that not many gave them a chance to advance past a group filled with heavyweights - including two-time champions Morocco and DR Congo - it is not a bold prediction that their experience here will give them a huge lift, coupled with the realisation that they outdid themselves, and left no stone unturned.

Out of the 25 players McCarthy named for the championships, only two - Brian Michira and third string goalkeeper Sebastian Wekesa - failed to make an appearance, and that should offer optimism going into future tournaments.

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That a huge majority of local-based players earned the right to play in a major tournament should increase McCarthy’s pool of selection, with the former Bafana Bafana striker making no bones about including a majority of the current fold in his 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers squad that gets to the field next month.

In addition to the player’s loaded bank accounts, there will also be a bucketload of lessons on how to best present and manage themselves in pressure situations akin to what CHAN 2024 has offered them.

A sit back to reminisce the last days and weeks could well turn their tears to a spark that spurs them to greater heights.