Five unfortunate lessons picked from Harambee Stars' CHAN campaign
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Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 26.08.25. | 19:52
Despite what was rather a successful campaign for the Harambee Stars, Mozzart Sport looks at six unfortunate lessons learned
Despite a highly successful 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) tourney, there were a few unfortunate events that marred Kenya's campaign.
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Harambee Stars made their debut in CHAN, a tournament reserved for locally based players, which came as a result of Kenya co-hosting the tournament alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
Kenya was placed in Group A alongside Morocco, Angola, DR Congo and Zambia in what was considered the ‘Group of Death.’
In a remarkable feat, Kenya, who were considered underdogs in the tournament, managed not only to complete the group stages unbeaten but also finished at the apex of Group A.
Harambee Stars managed to record wins against DR Congo, Morocco and Zambia and picked up a draw against Angola to qualify for the quarter finals.
Kenya then hosted Madagascar in the quarter final at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Friday 22 August, losing 3-4 on post-match penalties after a 1-1 draw in both regular and extra time.
Despite what was rather a successful campaign for the Harambee Stars, Mozzart Sport looks at six unfortunate lessons learned.
Fan Trouble
Harambee Stars' CHAN campaign, unfortunately, experienced fan trouble, especially before matches.
Despite the regulations, fans without tickets tried and successfully gained access to the stadium, worse off by breaking the gates.
The trouble hit its peak in Kenya's third game against Morocco, where there were multiple security breaches with some gates broken, especially on the Ngomongo-Baba Dogo side.
This resulted in Kasarani Stadium being filled beyond capacity and various areas such as the media tribune and the VIP encroached.
While the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) were fined for two previous matches against DR Congo and Angola, the Morocco clash brought the harshest punishment, with the federation fined $50,000 (approximately Ksh6.5 million) and a grand total of about Ksh9 million.
Additionally, FKF was asked to do fan sensitisation and put up fan zones in various parts of Nairobi City, which helped to curb the situation.
Ticketing issues
According to CAF regulations, only online ticketing is allowed in CAF events, and so is the case in the ongoing CHAN.
However, the ticketing of the matches, specifically those involving Harambee Stars, was problematic.
The majority of fans could not purchase tickets as the system was either not working effectively or, in the provider's own admission, bots infiltrated the system to purchase in bulk.
The said tickets were reportedly later being resold to fans at exorbitant prices outside the gates by third parties.
With Kenya also set to host and compete in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the Local Organising Committee (LOC), in conjunction with CAF, must find a solution to the ticketing menace in Kenya's matches.
McCarthy's quarter-final tactics
One of Kenya's success stories in the championship was head coach Benni McCarthy's tactical prowess in the group stage.
However, the former South Africa international seemed to have got it wrong in the quarter final against Madagascar, with a section of fans attributing Kenya's exit to his tactical set-up and decisions.
In a shocking manner, McCarthy started the match with Austin Odhiambo, undoubtedly the team's most creative midfielder on the bench and did not bring him on throughout the match, not even for the penalties, despite Odhiambo being Gor Mahia's best penalty taker.
Additionally, the decision to take off Ryan Ogam and Boniface Muchiri - Kenya's biggest attacking threats in the match for Austin Odongo and Edward Omondi proved to be futile in the end as Kenya's attack became blunt thereafter.
Two off days in the tournament
The decision by McCarthy to grant the team two days off after Kenya's win against Morocco was also one of the things that attracted criticism to his side.
In the two days, players were seen meeting other clubs and signing transfer deals, as well as attending to other duties and activities.
Maybe an afternoon off would have been better, or even two days off training, but within camp. In the end, the two days brought unwanted energy and unnecessary talking points and criticism to the team.
Mental strength of attacking players
One of the talking points and peculiar things in Kenya's elimination in the quarter final against Madagascar was that all five penalties for Kenya were taken by defenders.
In most cases, penalties are taken by attacking players, forwards and midfielders. To leave the responsibility to defenders solely showed the mental strength that the attackers and midfielders on the pitch had.
Criticism was also directed towards Masud Juma for not stepping up to take a penalty, one of the most experienced members of the team and a striker who was included in the squad to supplement and solve the insufficient forwards in the team.
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