CHAN 2024: Young players to watch out for in Harambee Stars' Group A

Dubbed as the group of death in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), Group A is stacked with potential breakout stars, but the key question is whether their managers will trust them enough to give them the platform.

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This is the magic of CHAN: a tournament where little-known, homegrown talents become overnight stars. As this edition kicks off, all eyes are on Group A - a cauldron of potential featuring Morocco, Zambia’s Chipolopolo, the Sable Antelopes of Angola, the Domestic Leopards of DR Congo, and Kenya’s Harambee Stars.

Each squad harbours latent gems - fearless wingers, midfield dynamos, raw strikers - but will their coaches trust them enough to hand them the spotlight?

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In a competition that has launched unlikely careers, the question is not whether talent exists. It’s whether it will be unleashed. This year, Group A might just be where Africa’s next football heroes announce themselves to the world.

The CHAN is unlike any other international tournament - it is a battleground reserved exclusively for players who ply their trade in their home countries.

No foreign-based stars, no global names - just raw, local talent competing on continental soil. For many, CHAN is a rare window to be seen by top clubs and scouts from around the world.

This particular edition carries even more weight, as domestic leagues across Africa have grown stronger, more competitive, and more visible.

Group A, in particular, stands out as a hotbed of potential. With powerhouses like Morocco and DR Congo alongside ambitious sides like Zambia, Angola, and Kenya, the group promises fierce competition - and a showcase of emerging stars waiting for their break.

For these players, CHAN is not just a tournament; it is a launchpad, a career-defining chance to be noticed.

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But here is the twist: will these rising stars actually see the pitch? Despite their promise, many young or untested players risk being overlooked as coaches lean towards seasoned veterans and proven performers.

It is a delicate balance between experience and raw potential, and not every manager is willing to gamble. The real drama of Group A might not just be who wins, but in terms of talent identification and development, who really gets trusted enough to play. Because without minutes, potential remains just that - potential.

Team-by-Team Talent Breakdown:

1. Morocco

Mchakhcheck Mehdi, 23, is a Raja Casablanca centre back known for perfect positioning, strong heading, sharp anticipation, precise tackling, wide passing range, and physical strength in duels.

Fouad Zahouani, 21, is a technically gifted left-back for Morocco’s U23 and recent U20 AFCON standout in Egypt, known for quality crosses, solid defense, strong tackling, and aerial ability.

Hossam Essadek, 20, a left-footed defensive or central midfielder for Union Touarga, excels in creative passing, ball carrying, set-piece delivery, and long-range shooting, making him a key playmaker and goal threat.

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Amine Souane, 23, is a dynamic winger/attacking midfielder known for sharp goal instincts, intelligent runs, playmaking, and aggressive work rate.

2. DR Congo

Linda Mtange, 22, is a creative central midfielder for FC Aigles RDC, known for set-piece skill, sharp passing, smart movement, and strong ball retention.

Oscar Kabwit, 20, is a quick, left-footed winger with lethal shooting, sharp dribbling, and strong decision-making in attack.

Ibrahim Matobo, 19, a speedy FC Aigles RDC winger with strong dribbling and direct runs, and is dangerous in transitions and wide areas.

Tony Talasi, also known as “Leopard Leader Foot”, 19, of AF Anges Verts, is a smart, versatile forward who drops deep to link play and finishes with composure.

Mwaku Malanga Horso, 21, is a clinical forward known for ghosting into scoring zones, powerful finishing, and smart link-up play with strong back-to-goal play ability.

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3. Kenya (Harambee Stars)

Manzur Okwaro, 19, a left-footed left back or left centre back for KCB FC, known for defensive solidity, aerial strength, and attacking runs with sharp passing and crosses.

Austine Odongo, 19, is a sharp Shabana FC forward with smart positioning, all-around finishing, and strong dribbling-consistently dangerous in the final third.

Ryan Ogam, 20, Kenya’s top local scorer, netted 15 goals in the 2024/25 FKF Premier League - exceeding his xG and showcasing sharp finishing. With strong link-up play and tireless pressing, he offers both efficiency and work rate, making him a key asset for Kenya’s CHAN campaign.

4. Angola

Luis Eusebio, 20, of GD Interclube, blends explosive pace with smart movement, sharp runs, solid hold-up play, and effective passing in build-up.

Deivi “Gibelé”, 24, is a skilful winger with lethal finishing, sharp dribbling, and well-timed runs that threaten defenses.

5. Zambia

Mathews Banda, a 19-year-old right back for Nkana FC and Zambia U20, is known for his two-footed passing, solid defensive awareness, and dangerous long throw-ins that create set-piece chances.

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Happy Nsiku, a composed centre-back for Zambia U20 and Nkana FC, stood out at the 2025 AFCON U20 for his sharp anticipation, well-timed tackles, strong passing range, and dominance in aerial duels and set-pieces.

Wilson Chisala, a 22-year-old midfielder for Zanaco FC, blends creative passing with sharp goal-scoring instincts.

Philemon Chilimina, 17, a skilled central midfielder for Zambia’s U20 team known for evading pressure, confident ball carrying, sharp passing, and excellent vision, bringing control and intelligence to the midfield.

Jackson Kampamba, 21, is a dynamic central midfielder known for his excellent combination play and strong link-up from midfield to attack. He creates scoring opportunities, charges forward with pace, and excels with smart off-the-ball movement.

CHAN has a reputation for transforming obscurity into opportunity. Case study? Ayoub El Kaabi! Virtually unknown before CHAN 2018, the Moroccan striker exploded onto the scene with nine goals in the tournament, leading Morocco to the title and earning the Golden Boot.

Within months, he landed a lucrative move abroad and cemented his place in the national team setup. His story is now a legend - and a reminder that CHAN is more than a tournament; it is a career gateway. In Group A, several players now stand on that same precipice, hoping their breakout moment is just one start away.

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In today’s data-driven football world, one standout performance can trigger interest from scouts across continents - a single game at CHAN could flip a player’s future overnight.

Group A is brimming with raw, homegrown talent - the kind that only needs a sliver of opportunity to ignite. If managers dare to trust youth over familiarity, we could witness the rise of Africa’s next football icons. Keep your eyes on the tournament at large - future stars are waiting to be discovered!