CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars’ Quarter-Final Opponents Confirmed
Harambee Stars head into today’s match with Zambia already qualified for the CHAN quarter-finals.
Kenya qualified on Thursday with a game in hand after Angola failed to beat the Democratic Republic of Congo. DR Congo’s 2-0 win meant Angola could no longer surpass Kenya’s seven points, and were eliminated.
Morocco and DR Congo are on six points as they face each other today. A draw in that match combined with a Kenyan defeat to Zambia would leave all three teams on seven points. But CHAN rules state that head-to-head is the first tie-breaker. Since Kenya beat both Morocco and DR Congo, only one of those two can move above them regardless of today’s results.
Quarter-Final Picture for Harambee Stars
Though qualification is secured, coach Benni McCarthy’s men know the Zambia match is important as it will determine their quarter-final opponents.
A win will set up a match in Nairobi with the Group B runners-up, who were confirmed yesterday as Madagascar. The island nation progressed after a 2-1 win over Burkina Faso at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar.
Madagascar needed a win to edge Mauritania into second place and delivered through goals from Fenohasina Razafimaro and Lalaina Rafanomezantsoa. Razafimaro opened with a beautiful lob past Burkinabe keeper Moussa Traore after just seven minutes. Souleymane Sangare equalized with a powerful header, reviving Mauritania’s hopes. But Rafanomezantsoa converted a second-half penalty to secure Madagascar’s win.
Kenya’s Possible Path to Face Tanzania
If Kenya beat Zambia, they will face Madagascar. But if Morocco or DR Congo leapfrog them, Harambee Stars will face Tanzania in Dar es Salaam.
Tanzania dominated their group, beating Burkina Faso, Madagascar and Mauritania before drawing with the Central African Republic in a match that had no bearing on their progress. Their reward is a home quarter-final at Benjamin Mkapa National Stadium.“Thank God we made it to the quarter-finals. We came in already qualified which was good and a good experience for the future. As I said earlier we were going to face a strong team and it won’t be easy to beat them. The players gave their all, created chances and I congratulate them for that,” Tanzania coach Hemed Suleiman said.
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CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars’ Quarter-Final Opponents Confirmed