Harambee Stars defender Michael Kibwage reflects on painful CHAN exit
By Joel Masibo, August 25, 2025Harambee Stars defender Michael Kibwage has broken his silence since the Kenya national men’s football team exited the 2024 TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024)
Taking to his social media pages on Monday, August 25, 2025, Kibwage admitted that the Harambee Stars squad left it all on the pitch during their campaign at the tournament. Kenya was eliminated from the ongoing showpiece that is being staged in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania by Madagascar in post-match penalties.
Mike Kibwage failed to convert his penalty, just like fellow defender Alphonce Omija, to hand Madagascar a semi-final ticket of the tournament at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasrani on Friday, August 22, 2025. The Gor Mahia skipper expressed the heartbreak of bowing out after the players gave their all in pursuit of national pride.
“Football can be cruel. Some pains take a while to settle in, and when it does, we look at the bright side. We gave it our all, wanted to make the country proud. Sadly, we had to exit painfully,” Kibwage said in his reflection on Monday via his X account.
The defender noted that while the result was disappointing, the team showed resilience and determination throughout the tournament.
“It pains us we didn’t go through, but we fought like our lives depended on it,” he added, emphasising the players’ commitment.
Kenya’s exit from CHAN has, however, been taken positively basing on their tough group matches. Kenya was placed in Group A of the 2024 CHAN tournament alongside semi-finalist Morocco, two-time champions DR Congo, Angola and Zambia.
Defying the odds
Despite the tough fixtures, Kenya managed 10 points out of their tricky pool, beating DR Congo, Morocco and Zambia. Harambee Stars drew 1-1 with Angola to qualify for the quarter-finals of the competition in their third CHAN debut.
With all Harambee Stars players making their first CHAN outing, the experience playing on the continental platform has been regarded as key in their respective professional football careers. Though a bitter exit, it remains a motivation to keep the Benni McCarthy charges pushing both at club and national team level, as the team turns their focus to the next assignments, 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers against Gambia next month in Nairobi.