Harambee Stars midfielder Austin Odhambo celebrates after scoring against Angola on August 7, 2025
Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars are living a dream in their maiden Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign, punching well above their weight and showing no signs of slowing down.
Making their first-ever appearance at the continental showpiece, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the Stars were thrown into the proverbial ‘group of death’, Group A which features two-time champions DR Congo and Morocco, 2011 finalists Angola and Zambia.
Yet McCarthy’s men have defied the odds, topping the group after two spirited displays that have not only won matches but hearts too.
Stars sit atop the group, having amassed four points. Morocco follows closely behind in second place on three points, tied with DR Congo but better on goal difference, while Zambia sit rock bottom with zero points.
Harambee Stars goalkeeper Byrne Odhiambo in action during the Angola match.
President William Ruto had paid the team a visit before the games, promising Sh1 million for every win, Sh500,000 for a draw, and Sh600 million prize should they go all the way, a gesture that clearly fired up the camp.
The hosts secured a gritty 1-0 victory over DR Congo at a packed Moi Stadium, Kasarani courtesy of Austine Odhiambo's strikes in the dying minutes of the first half.
“I’m proud of my team, many of them were stepping onto such a big stage for the first time.Beating one of the tournament favourites is massive for us,” McCarthy said.
He, however, highlighted that the team came into the match with some anxiety.
“We were nervous at the start, but once the boys settled, they showed real bravery.”
One of the tactical masterstrokes of the night was McCarthy’s surprise decision to deploy center-half Manzur Suleiman in midfield, a move that proved instrumental in breaking DR Congo’s rhythm.
“I initially considered playing him at left-back based on what I saw in our friendlies,” McCarthy explained.
“But after analysing his attributes, I felt he was a perfect fit in midfield. He’s young, energetic, and brave—just what we needed to disrupt DR Congo’s game plan. He was one of our best players today, no doubt.”
Stars were back under the Kasarani floodlights for a high-stakes clash with Angola on Thursday, which ended in a pulsating 1-1 draw, playing with just 10 men.
Jo Paciencia stunned the home crowd with a seventh-minute strike, but Odhiambo once again rose to the occasion, coolly converting from the spot just five minutes later to level things.
Disaster struck in the 21st minute when defender Marvin Nabwire saw red for a last-man foul, reducing Kenya to 10 for the reminder of the game.
Angola looked to have snatched it late in stoppage time through Joao Chingado Manha, but the goal was ruled out by VAR for offside, sparking wild relief in the Kenyan dugout.
McCarthy admitted that the Angola game was one of the toughest games of his career.
"This was the toughest game I've played in. You have to play 15 minutes with 10 men; it was difficult, and you just tried to coach and keep the players in check," McCarthy said post-game.
"But I have to praise the players for the effort, the work. It wasn't easy."
The experienced tactician noted that there were jitters in the opening half, but the players calmed down and held their ground in the second half.
"In the first half, we looked extremely nervous. In the second half, everyone calms down and plays accordingly, but in football, you cannot play for 45 minutes and not for the other 45.”
Harambee Stars now face another uphill task with a clash against Morocco on Sunday at 3pm at the Kasarani stadium.
Stars will look to settle an old score having lost 3-0 to the Atlas Lions in their last meeting, an international friendly back in 2014.
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