Excitement is building at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, as Kenya’s Harambee Stars prepare to face Zambia in their final Group A match of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) this afternoon.

The highly anticipated clash, set for 3:00pm, has attracted attention from across the football fraternity, with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed leading calls for unity and support.

In a heartfelt message on X, Mohammed declared, “Best of luck to Harambee Stars in their final group game. The dream lives on.”

His words captured the mood of optimism surrounding the national team, who are already assured of a place in the quarterfinals but still have much to play for.

Group stage stakes remain high

Despite Zambia’s elimination, the encounter carries high stakes for Kenya. Victory would secure Harambee Stars the top spot in Group A and allow them to retain their hosting rights at Kasarani for the next round. However, a slip could see them finish second, setting up a challenging away tie in Tanzania.

Head coach Benni McCarthy underlined the importance of the fixture, insisting that his team must finish the group stage strongly. “Tomorrow is a must-win game. We know that we have already qualified, but we are looking to finish off the campaign on a high to prove it has not been a fluke,” McCarthy said. “I always tell the players, in order to be the best, you have to beat the best.”

Kenya’s impressive run has come against strong opposition, including DR Congo, Angola, and Morocco. A win over Zambia would not only preserve momentum but also boost confidence ahead of a potential quarterfinal meeting with either Tanzania or Madagascar.

Off-field concerns

Off the pitch, focus has turned to discipline and security. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) recently fined the Football Kenya Federation Ksh6.4 million for lapses during the Morocco match and warned that further breaches could result in fixtures being moved to neutral venues, including Tanzania.

Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae has also appealed to fans to conduct themselves with decorum. “Leo WaKenya msilete heshima ndogo kwa kiwanja. Bure CAF waseme michuano iwe TZ, mtaziweza kejeli zao na matusi?” she posted on X, urging Kenyans not to allow rivals to mock or undermine their team.

With the National Police Service issuing a comprehensive security advisory, Kasarani is expected to host a sellout crowd. Defender Daniel Sakari, echoing the squad’s confidence, credited McCarthy’s leadership for instilling belief.

As the clock ticks down, Mohammed’s rallying cry, Wamae’s caution, and the players’ determination set the stage for a crucial encounter. For Kenya, the stakes extend beyond three points—it is about pride, unity, and sustaining the dream of continental glory.