Kenya’s Harambee Stars have made history at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 tournament after securing qualification to the quarterfinals with a match to spare.
The CHAN 2024 tournament features 19 teams and consists of four groups: three of them (Groups A, B, and C) include five teams each, while Group D has four teams.
In what is their first appearance at the tournament, Harambee Stars booked the spot on Thursday, August 14, following two wins and a draw in their first three Group A matches.
However, the qualification was officially sealed after Thursday’s other Group A matches in which Morocco overcame Zambia, while the Democratic Republic of Congo edged past Angola. These outcomes left Morocco and DR Congo on six points each, with Zambia and Angola officially eliminated from the tournament.
The two teams trail leaders Harambee Stars, who kicked off their Group A campaign in style, defeating DR Congo 1-0 in the opening match before grinding out a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Angola in the second game.
In their third outing, they stunned Morocco with a decisive 1-0 victory, moving to the top of the group with 7 points.
The Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) had earlier confirmed the key regulations around the tournament when it comes to group play.
Why Harambee Stars have qualified for CHAN 2024 Quarters with a game to spare
According to CAF, in the event of a tie between two teams in the group stage, priority is first given to the result of the head-to-head match between them.
With Kenya having already beaten both Morocco and DR Congo in the head-to-head matchups, the tournament’s tie-break rules guarantee the Stars’ progression regardless of the results in the final round of group fixtures.
Also Read: Morocco Vs Zambia Live Blog: Morocco Wins 3-1
In a scenario where the two teams tied and drew in the head-to-head matchups, then goal-difference across all group matches is considered, followed by the total number of goals scored in all group games.
If teams remain level, Fair Play conduct comes into play, using a point deduction system:
o 1 point for a yellow card
o 3 points for two yellow cards in a match (red card)
o 4 points for a direct red card
o 5 points for a yellow card and a direct red card
If all else fails, a drawing of lots conducted by the Organizing Committee will determine the ranking.
At the end of the group phase, the top two teams from each group will progress to the Quarter-finals. These knockout matches will be paired as follows:
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Winner Group A vs Second Group B
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Winner Group B vs Second group A
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Winner Group C vs Second Group D
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Winner Group D vs Second Group C
Why Kenya Vs Zambia Group A clash will be crucial
This means that for Harambee Stars, attention now shifts to their final Group A match against an already eliminated Zambia, set for Sunday, August 17, 2025, at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC), Kasarani.
Current Group A Standings
| Team | Points | Goal Difference |
| Kenya | 7 | 2 |
| Morocco | 6 | 3 |
| DR Congo | 6 | 3 |
| Angola | 4 | -3 |
| Zambia | 0 | -5 |
The team will be aiming for nothing less than victory — a result that would not only secure top spot in Group A but also preserve their unbeaten run heading into the quarterfinals.
Additionally, a win in their final match would earn them the right to play the quarterfinals at home, at the MISC Kasarani Stadium, against either Mauritania or Madagascar — both of whom are trailing Group B leaders Tanzania.
Also Read: How to Watch Kenya vs Zambia Match Without a Ticket and Still Be Part of the Action
Morocco and DR Congo, on the other hand, each have one remaining fixture — a do-or-die clash between the two sides scheduled for Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium.
A draw for Kenya against Zambia introduces a more complex scenario. If Morocco and DR Congo also draw, Harambee Stars would still finish first in Group A with 8 points.
However, if either Morocco or DR Congo wins their match, and Kenya only manages a draw, that winning team would leapfrog Kenya to take top spot. This means a draw would leave Kenya’s fate dependent on the outcome of the Morocco-DR Congo fixture.
In the worst-case scenario — a Kenya loss combined with a win for either Morocco or DR Congo — the Harambee Stars would be forced to travel to Tanzania to face the Group B leaders, who currently have 9 points from three games.
On Thursday, the Stars were in their second day of training in preparation for their crucial final Group A clash against Zambia.
Coach Benny McCarthy had given the players two days off following Sunday’s important win over Morocco, with the team resuming training on Wednesday.
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