The Harambee Stars booked their place in the quarterfinals of the African Nations Championship in style after edging Zambia’s Chipolopolo 1-0 in front of a packed Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday afternoon.
Star striker Ryan Wesley Ogam was once again the difference maker, scoring for the second game in a row with his trademark lethal left foot.
His brilliant one-touch finish inside the box settled the contest and secured Kenya’s top spot in Group A with 10 points. With the victory, the Stars will now face Madagascar in the quarterfinals on Friday at the same venue, a clash that is already generating excitement among fans.
The game itself began cautiously, with both teams showing nerves knowing what was at stake.
Kenya, fresh from their famous 1-0 win over Morocco, looked confident but cautious, while Zambia relied heavily on the experience of captain Kelvin Kampamba.
The Zambian skipper came close to breaking the deadlock midway through the first half when he stepped up for a free kick just outside the box, but his curled effort drifted narrowly wide of Farouk Shikalo’s right post.
Harambee Stars skipper Aboud Omar vies for the ball against his Zambian opponent Kelvin Mwanza at Kasarani Stadium.
Shikalo, who was making his first appearance of the tournament, replaced Byrne Omondi between the posts and looked assured throughout the match.
Coach Benni McCarthy made several bold changes to his lineup. Marvin Omondi Nabwire returned after serving a suspension from a red card against Angola, while Austin Odhiambo was handed a starting role.
These changes gave the Stars fresh energy, and Ryan Ogam and Ben Stanley Omondi combined cleverly upfront, though Zambia’s defense managed to snuff out their early exchanges.
The second half saw McCarthy introduce Masud Juma and Boniface Muchiri to add more attacking threat. Juma almost scored within minutes of his introduction, his glancing header forcing Zambia’s goalkeeper Charles Kaluma into a sharp save.
Muchiri later tested Kaluma again with a thunderous free kick, but the keeper managed to push it over the bar.
The turning point, however, came when Ogam latched onto a low cross, controlling it with precision before firing home the winner that sent the stadium into wild celebrations.
Meanwhile at Nyayo Stadium, Morocco defeated DR Congo 3-1 to finish second behind Kenya in Group A.
Lamlioui scored twice while Hrimat added a penalty, with Kitambala Mbola netting Congo’s consolation. Morocco’s win confirmed they will face Tanzania in Dar es Salaam on Friday, while Kenya hosts Madagascar in Kasarani.
As the heavens opened and rain poured down at Kasarani, many fans took it as a blessing for the Harambee Stars.
Among the crowd were President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, both visibly jubilant as the team sealed victory.
The government rewarded the players and technical bench with Ksh 2.5 million each in bonuses, raising their total earnings to Ksh 5 million in the tournament.
With confidence soaring and momentum firmly on their side, the Harambee Stars will look to carry this winning spirit into the quarterfinals against Madagascar.
