CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars' Probable Line Up v Angola

How Benni McCarthy could set up his starting line up against Angola with Masoud Juma a doubt due to injury.

All eyes will be on Kasarani Stadium this evening as Harambee Stars take on Angola in a highly anticipated African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 Group A clash.

The match is set to kick off at 7:00 PM EAT on August 7, with head coach Benni McCarthy expected to name a strong, balanced starting XI in a must-win tie in front of a passionate home crowd.

Pulse Sports predicts Kenya’s starting line up against Angola in their opening clash of Group A.

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Byrne Omondi

Byrne Omondi was assured during his first game against DR Congo. He brought his sense of calm and collected nature which prevented him from injecting panic into his defenders.

On top of that, Omondi is an excellent organiser of the backline, good at coming for aerial balls and has exquisite distribution skills. He is also capable of making crucial saves.

For that reason, we expect him to start ahead of Sepstianos Wekesa and Farouk Shikhalo, yet again, despite the latter being one of the other three members of the squad that was part of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations delegation.

Daniel Sakari

The 26-year old is the most experienced right back in the squad in terms of international football, and will be expected to start ahead of AFC Leopards’ Lewis Bandi and KCB’s Kevin Okumu in that position.

Calm, composed and defensively astute, Daniel Sakari is also capable of inverting into the midfield, which could help McCarthy’s side create overloads in the midfield, which will prevent them from being overrun.

Against DR Congo, he had a torrid first 20 minutes against Ibrahim Matobo, who consistently Isolated him during 1 v 1 situations and even forced the Police defender to receive a yellow card, but calmed down for the rest of the match, with Ryan Ogam tracking back to help him out on a number of occasions.

Abud Omar

The team captain, Abud Omar is the most experienced member of the squad, having been a regular fixture of the national team for 12 years.

Omar is the only member of the squad that has actually won a trophy with the national team before, doing it in 2013 on home soil when Stars downed Sudan to lift the CECAFA Senior Challenge trophy at Nyayo National Stadium.

His ability to bomb up and down the pitch will be crucial in helping the side maintain both attacking and defensive balance down the left.

Alphonce Omija

Alphonce Omija has established himself as a defender for the big occasions, like on his debut for the national team against Ivory Coast.

Against DR Congo, he was very good in and out of possession, taking a no-nonsense approach to his defending, and even made a goalline clearance.

In possession, he carried the ball forward well on occasion and combined well with the likes of Sakari at right back. He will be expected to start at right center back.

Sylvester Owino

Sylvester Owino will be the starting left sided center back for the game. He was commanding in the air in his first game and was very good at spraying progressive passes forward. He did have some defensive lapses which he must work on in order to avoid repeating against Angola.

Alpha Onyango

Alpha Onyango will be starting as the right sided number eight, and will be handed the freedom of dropping deeper to aid the build up at times. His ability to retain possession as well as generally dictate the tempo of the game will be very crucial.

He was also named man of the match in the first game and will be keen to continue on in that trend.

Manzur Okwaro

Starting as a makeshift defensive midfielder in the first game, Manzur Okwaro will be keen to continue where he left off tonight.

His speed and athleticism will be key to cutting passing lanes and prevent Angola from creating inroads into the box, instead subjecting them to crosses delivered from deep by their wingbacks. In possession, he will give the two center backs a passing option with his left foot in that half-back role.

Austin Odhiambo

The creative hub of the team, Austin Odhiambo will start as the number 10, whose job will be to find space between the lines,  and spray those line-breaking passes to generally help create chances for his forwards, considering it is a game Kenya will be under pressure to win in front of home support at Kasarani Stadium.

David Sakwa

The only direct profile of winger in the squad, David Sakwa will be expected to start at right wing for the game, with Masoud Juma a doubt for the game. 

There is also the possibility of starting Ben Stanley Omondi  on that flank, but given the several ball-to-feet players already in the squad, McCarthy will want a genuine outlet especially for counter-attacking situations.

Besides, Juma’s doubtness  could allow Ryan Ogam to start as a center forward, having started on the right last time out.

Bonface Muchiri

Bonface Muchiri will be starting on the left as the replacement for the doubtful Masoud Juma. His ability to win fouls after generating one v one situations, as well as ability to deliver inch-perfect dead balls will be key for Kenya, who will be trying to exploit Angola’s set-piece woes.

Ryan Ogam

Ryan Ogam started as a right winger for the first game but could start as a center forward for this one ahead of Austin Odongo of Shabana and Felix Oluoch of Posta Rangers. 

As the countdown to kick-off narrows, Kenya will be counting on their home support and tactical discipline to secure a crucial three points in Group A. With DR Congo offering stiff competition in the pool, tonight’s result could play a major role in the Stars' chances of progressing.