McCarthy highlights benefits of CHAN experience to Harambee Stars players
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 03.09.25. | 09:49
With CHAN behind them, Harambee Stars have now shifted focus to their upcoming 2026 FFIA World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy says Kenya’s run at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) was invaluable to the players despite their quarterfinal elimination at the hands of Madagascar.
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Kenya, featuring at the continental showpiece for the first time, stunned many by advancing from the so-called “Group of Death.” Kenya collected 10 points out of a possible 12, beating DR Congo, Morocco, and Zambia, and drawing with Angola to seal their place in the last eight.
Their fairytale run, however, came to an end in the quarterfinals. After a 1–1 draw with Madagascar in regulation and extra time, Kenya bowed out through a penalty shootout.
Despite the heartbreak, Kenya’s performance has widely been described as a success. The team entered the tournament as underdogs with limited preparation, faced tough opposition, yet still managed to display fighting spirit—most notably beating Morocco while playing the entire second half a man down.
Coach McCarthy highlighted the importance of the tournament to the development of his players. He noted that the intensity and pressure of CHAN matches provided valuable exposure that the players rarely experience in the local league.
“CHAN has been a massive benefit for us. It gave our players the chance to compete at a very high level, to experience pressure and intensity that you don’t always get in the league. The confidence and exposure they’ve gained will go a long way,” McCarthy said.
With CHAN behind them, Harambee Stars have now shifted focus to their upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles.
Kenya remains a long shot to qualify, but McCarthy insists the remaining fixtures are crucial for building experience and preparing for the future.
“It is what it is, and we want to make use of the four remaining matches. I want to bring in a lot of local players so they can get international experience and help us prepare for the next World Cup,” he explained.
Realistically, Kenya’s qualification chances are slim. Harambee Stars, with a paltry six points, sit behind Ivory Coast (16), Gabon (15) and Burundi (10) in their group standings, and even if they win their remaining four matches to finish on 18 points, their fate depends on the results of the leaders.
Kenya will face The Gambia on Friday at Kasarani Stadium before hosting Seychelles the following Tuesday.
