Harambee Stars duo among experts' list of CHAN most impressive players
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 21.08.25. | 09:25
The two were name-checked by two members of CAF's Technical Study Group as having made a visible impact through the tournament group stages
Harambee Stars pair of Bryne Odhiambo and Ryan Ogam have emerged as some of the most impressive players noted so far, even as the ongoing African Nations Championships (CHAN) enter the quarter-final stage this weekend.
The duo were among a list of names highlighted by a carefully selected panel of experts serving as CAF’s Technical Study Group (TSG), who have been entrusted with assessing tactical trends, emerging talent, and coaching developments during the month-long competition.
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In their Technical Insights Discussions with the media on Wednesday, 20 August, two TSG members, Mark Fish and Abraham Mebratu Gebreslassie, recognized the Harambee Stars duo for their efforts throughout the tournament, which have resulted in Kenya breezing through the group stages and into the knockouts, despite being debutants.
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©Mozzart SportAsked which player impressed him the most, Mebratu, a FIFA Technical Expert, name-checked goalkeeper Odhiambo saying: “He is a commanding presence, and made crucial saves against Morocco when he was awarded the Man of the Match.
When they [Kenya] played with ten-men, he made many saves to help his team. He was good technically and tactically. He was taking initiative in attack, and he was a key player in maintaining possession.”
As per Fish, Harambee Stars forward Ogam fell into a category of “young but versatile” players who made an impression, alongside Clement Mzize of Tanzania, and Uganda’s Allan Okello.
On the trio, the South African said: “They can play in midfield and in attack. They are also playing a role in defense, and if not creating they are the ones scoring.”
After four group stage matches, Ogam is Kenya’s joint top-scorer with two goals, while Odhiambo has only conceded once in the three matches he has been involved in.
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Other players who impressed the two experts included: Tanzania’s Feisal Salum, Niger’s Mahamadou Tanja, Sudan’s 18-year-old goalscorer Musa Ali Hussein, and the evergreen Malagasy goalkeeper Michel ‘Toldo’ Ramandimbisoa, who has scooped three Man of the Match awards so far.
Also in their detailed analysis, Mebratu and Fish noted that this year’s CHAN championships had been “one of the most technically impressive in recent history.”
The duo highlighted the presence of more attack-minded and dynamic formations, which have mainly led to the upturn in goals - 74 goals in 36 matches played so far, which is an average of two per game.
Tactical flexibility from the coaches involved was also noted throughout the group stages, with most of them resulting in the bold deployment of young talent.
The three host nations - Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya - making it through to the quarterfinals after topping their respective groups was also highlighted, with Fish alluding that phenomenon to “better coaching, more disciplined players, and teams adapting really well to tactical instructions.”
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