CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars face 'Group of Death' challenge

The 2024 CHAN draw held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre on Wednesday night placed Kenya’s Harambee Stars in the so-called "Group of Death." The tournament co-hosts were drawn alongside two-time champions DR Congo, defending champions Morocco, 2011 finalists Angola, and Zambia, who finished third in the competition’s inaugural edition in 2009.

What a 🔥 group

Let's go! #HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/Rmallm4F3c

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) January 15, 2025

Co-hosts Tanzania were grouped in Pool B with Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic, while Uganda landed in Group C with Niger, Guinea, and two other teams to be decided after the final qualification phase.

Defending champions Senegal, aiming to retain their title, will lead Group D, which includes Congo, Sudan, and 2018 finalists Nigeria.

As one of the seeded teams, Kenya was automatically placed in Group A, alongside Tanzania in Group B and Uganda in Group C. Senegal, also a seeded team, anchored Group D. With CHAN 2024 featuring 19 teams, Groups A, B, and C comprise five teams each, while Group D has four.

Legendary East African footballers McDonald Mariga (Kenya), Mrisho Ngassa (Tanzania), and Hassan Wasswa (Uganda) assisted with the draw under the guidance of CAF’s Director of Competitions, Samson Adamu.

Notably, DR Congo, Senegal, Tanzania, and Zambia are the only nations in the draw that participated in the inaugural CHAN tournament in 2009.

The draw has set up several tantalising rematches that are bound to rekindle historic rivalries. DR Congo will face Zambia in a repeat of their 2009 semi-final clash, where the Leopards triumphed 2-1 before lifting the trophy. DR Congo also defeated Angola 4-2 in the 2016 tournament, another clash set to be revisited in Group A.

Meanwhile, Morocco will take on Zambia in a rematch of their 2020 quarter-final, which the North Africans won 3-1 en route to defending their title. In Group C, Niger and Guinea will renew hostilities following their 2-2 draw in the 2016 group stages. Group D will feature a rerun of the 2018 semi-final between Nigeria and Sudan, where the Super Eagles edged out the Falcons of Jediane 1-0.

Reactions to the Draw

FKF Vice President McDonald Mariga acknowledged the challenge of Kenya’s group but saw it as an opportunity for Harambee Stars to prove themselves. “To be the best, you have to beat the best,” he said.

Mariga also confirmed that Francis Kimanzi remains the team’s interim coach but did not elaborate on his future.

Harambee Stars midfielder Kenneth Muguna urged fans to fill the stadiums and rally behind the team. “Empty seats would be disappointing. The postponement to August gives us time to prepare better and make the league more competitive as players aim for selection,” he added.

Similar sentiments were echoed by former stars Mrisho Ngassa and Hassan Wasswa, who emphasised the role of fans in pushing teams to succeed.

Tanzania’s assistant coach Juma Mgunda highlighted the importance of integrating players from the country’s U20 team, who recently qualified for the U20 AFCON. “This is the time to expose them to high-level international football. Featuring in CHAN 2024 will prepare them for AFCON 2027,” Mgunda said.

The event was attended by Sports Cabinet Secretaries from Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, who praised the tournament’s potential to unite the region. The Presidents of the three football federations - Hussein Mohammed (Kenya), Wallace Karia (Tanzania), and Moses Magogo (Uganda) - expressed gratitude to their respective heads of state for supporting the CHAN 2024 and AFCON 2027 bids.

CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, though absent, commended the co-hosts’ preparations via a video message.

CHAN 2024 will feature increased prize money, with the winners set to receive $3.5 million (approximately Ksh 452 million), up from the $2 million (Ksh 260 million) awarded to Senegal in 2022.