Why Harambee Stars must beat Zambia to secure Kasarani quarterfinal
Kenya leads Group A with seven points from three games, ahead of Angola, DR Congo and Morocco.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the trio hosts of the CHAN 2024 tournament, currently top their respective groups with 7, 6 and 9 points respectively after three matches.
Each has one group match left, and for Kenya’s Harambee Stars, Sunday’s clash against Zambia at Kasarani Stadium will decide whether they advance as Group A winners or face a more challenging path in the knockout stage.
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Kenya leads Group A with seven points from three games, ahead of Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Morocco.
A victory over Zambia would see them finish on 10 points, guaranteeing top spot and setting up a quarterfinal at Kasarani against the runners-up of Group B, which features Tanzania, Mauritania, Madagascar and Burkina Faso.
This scenario would keep the Stars at home, with a strong crowd advantage, and put them within touching distance of the semi-finals.
However, a slip-up could change everything.
Dropping points could open the door for Morocco or the DRC to overtake them, forcing Kenya to travel to Tanzania to face the Group B winners.
In the worst-case scenario, a defeat combined with an Angola win by a large margin could see the Stars eliminated on goal difference.
The stakes are high, with a Sh2.5 million bonus for winning the quarterfinals and even greater rewards, including a house and Sh1 million per player if they progress past that stage.
The semi-finals are set for Kampala, Uganda, on August 26, while Kasarani will host the final on August 30.
For Kenya, victory on Sunday is more than just about finishing first; it’s about keeping control of their tournament destiny, staying on home soil, and giving their fans another chance to witness history unfold in Nairobi.
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