Six Lessons from Kenya’s CHAN group stage performance
.jpg)
Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 19.08.25. | 12:11
The Kenyan faithful have pushed the team through the deepest valleys and darkest shadows.
Kenya's performance in the group stage of the ongoing 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) had plenty of lessons to offer.
Harambee Stars were in Group A alongside Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia in what many termed the ‘group of death.’
Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More News
Contrary to the predictions of many observers, Kenya emerged as the group leaders with 10 points, having won three matches and drawn one.
The net effect of Kenya's performance is qualification to the quarter-finals, booking a date with Madagascar in a match set for Friday, 22 August, at the Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani.
Following Kenya's impressive performance and qualification to the knockout stage, Mozzart Sport identified six key lessons, as analyzed in this article.
Fans have had a great impact
Kenyan fans have been impressive throughout the tournament, and their impact is without doubt the first lesson learned from the group stage.
When football fans are described as the ‘12th player,’ they must have had Harambee Stars fans in mind. The Kenyan faithful have pushed the team through the deepest valleys and darkest shadows.
From the first match against DR Congo, when Stars converted what was their only shot on target, to the two matches against Angola and Tunisia where Kenya played the whole second half with a man down, Kenyan fans pushed the team.
Coach Benni McCarthy spent significant time after the Morocco match applauding the Kenyan fans. In his post-match press conference, he said there was no chance for Kenya to win the match, whether with 10 or 11 players, were it not for the fans' support.
Kenya is banking on the same fans' support to overcome Madagascar in the quarter-finals.
Benni McCarthy's tactical prowess
Harambee Stars tactician McCarthy has demonstrated his tactical prowess throughout the group stage.
McCarthy first surprised many when he not only named youngster Manzur Okwaro in his starting 11 but also entrusted him with a midfield role.
However, the coach impressed pundits further with his reactions when his team went down to 10 men.
-min.jpg)
Against Angola, McCarthy withdrew winger Boniface Muchiri for defender Mike Kibwage and later shifted to a back five, which held strong for over 75 minutes of the match.
Against Morocco, he first added numbers in midfield after going a man down and later introduced Kibwage once more to lock the game.
In his post-match press conference, McCarthy said that he packed a train and then a bus, and at some point, Morocco did not know what to do with the ball.
Manzur Okwaro was a great discovery
The discovery of 19-year-old Manzur Okwaro has to be one of the main takeaways from Kenya's qualification to the knockout stage.
The KCB defender was first deployed to shut down DR Congo's direct balls to the point man, a role he executed excellently, earning him a starting berth in the two subsequent matches.
The former Kenya U-20 player was athletic, physical, and energetic throughout the group phase and became one of the fan favorites in the team.
With age on his side, Okwaro is definitely destined for glory and will be a key asset for the team going forward.
Kenya must improve on pitch discipline
The Kenyan team must work on their on-field discipline, especially heading into the crucial stages of the tournament.
Kenya suffered two red cards through Marvin Nabwire against Angola and Chrispine Erambo in the Morocco clash.
While the two were red-carded for fighting for the team and not for unsporting activities, it is such small margins that make a big difference in tournaments.
President Ruto's millions were a game-changer
One of the loudest chants during Kenya's matches at Kasarani has been ‘one million,’ with players also chanting the same after the Morocco clash.
It is therefore true to say that President Ruto's financial promises to the Kenyan team, especially Ksh 1 million for every player for every match won in the tournament, have been a key motivator.
While the reward has caused national debate and continues to be critiqued, Harambee Stars players continue to earn their millions with every positive result in the tournament.
Kenya's defense is the secret weapon
As the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson once said, “Attack wins you games, defense wins you titles,” and Harambee Stars were a true testimony to that.
One area that Kenya perfected throughout the group stage was the art of defending, which catapulted the team to the knockout stage.
Stars scored only four goals throughout the group stage—one goal in every game—but conceded only one goal throughout the tournament.
Heading into the knockout phase, McCarthy will be encouraged by his team's defensive abilities.
.jpg)
