Harambee Stars to face Morocco in CHAN ‘Group of Death’

Kenya chances of winning the CHAN (Africa Nations Championships) 2024, which has been rescheduled to August, seem bleak on paper after it was pooled in a tough group during the draw conducted by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Nairobi yesterday evening.
Harambee Stars have been pooled in Group A in what analysts dub “Group of Death” alongside African giants Zambia, Morocco, Angola and DR Congo in the tournament scheduled for August. With the tournament six months away, the national team has its work cut out in the midst of a busy calendar which will include the FKF-Premier League, FKF Cup and CAF Clubs competitions.
The co-hosts of the showpiece, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, will hope they have the right arsenal, resources and goodwill to sail through.
The Harambee Stars’ preparations somewhat hit a snag with their far from satisfactory build up in Zanzibar during the Mapinduzi Cup where they were eliminated. Add to that, this will be a huge test to two fresh men – the new Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and the new Football Kenya Federation President Hussein Mohammed.
Mvurya, who was present during the draw exercise at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) Tsavo Ballroom, stated: “This is a big celebration for soccer in East Africa and we want to thank the CAF Management for bestowing us with the honor of hosting the draw. I want to also thank CAF President (Patrice Motsepe) for showing confidence in the region.”
“The extension is great because as a Government it gives us the opportunity to be tightening the nuts and bolts because there is still some work to be done. We want to use this tournament to market our country in the areas of trade, tourism and of course talent. It is our hope that we have a successful Championship. It is a tournament that will be used nurture and develop our young talent here at home,” he offered.
It will be a huge test especially against former winners Morocco (2018/21) and DRC (2016) but the fact that Kenya will be at home is giving some football insiders some level of hope. FKF Vice-President Mc Donald Mariga expressed home for a good tournament and competition.
“This is the Group of Death,” admitted Mariga on the sidelines of the event.
“These are huge games, and it only means we have to prepare well. Now that the tournament has been postponed, we have time to get the team ready. It is a very competitive pool but we can on the whole believe and hope for a competitive tournament,” stated the former Harambee Stars striker.
On his part, interim Harambee Stars Assistant Coach John Kamau said: “Preparations are everything and the fact that we have until August means we have sufficient time to work with the players. The players we took to Mapinduzi Cup gave a good account of themselves but if we started early, then being at home we will do well. At least for consistency sake, we will maintain 80%-90% of them. Otherwise, it is a good test for us and I want us to do well.”
Stars player Kenneth Muguna, however, believes the challenge is great and everyone should just remain positive.
“This is a good challenge and it is an opportunity to test our level. We want to see how we rank in the continent and so this test is about belief.”