CHAN 2024: 3 Reasons Harambee Stars Should Be Scared of Angola More than Morocco and DR Congo

Harambee Stars are preparing for their participation in the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) which kicks off on Saturday August 2 in East Africa.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are co-hosting the tournament and while there is excitement around the event, there is cautious optimism among Kenyan fans over the chances of Harambee Stars.

This is because Kenya are in what has been described as the ‘Group of Death’ that also has Morocco and DR Congo, both two-time winners, COSAFA champions Angola and Zambia.

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Of their four opponents, DR Congo and Morocco have been tipped as the favourites and while history favours them, there are reasons why Kenya must be wary of Angola more than the two past winners.

Among the four teams that Kenya will face, Angola come as the team with the highest motivation as they just won the COSAFA Cup one month ago.

The Angolans had no equals as they stormed to victory and made a major statement when they thrashed hosts South Africa 3-0 in the final to win their fifth COSAFA Cup title.

It means they come into the tournament not just with sky high confidence but also with a higher level of fitness unlike the other countries who have not played competitive matches since late May, when the 2024-25 season concluded.

That will make them sharp and dangerous for Harambee Stars, who have also been banking on the late conclusion of the FKF Premier League to give them match sharpness.

While Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has had to chop and change his team with some key players leaving after securing moves abroad, his Angolan counterpart Pedro Goncalves had no such problems.

This is because their recent participation in COSAFA gave him a clear picture of whom to have in his team, having watched them closely in training and in a highly competitive environment.

Goncalves therefore selected players that will not be testing themselves at CHAN 2024 but one that are ready to compete, adding onto the problems for their rivals, who include Kenya.

Angola also have a number of players with experience including goalkeeper Neblu, midfielder Vidinho and forward Keliano among others who bring tournament knowhow.

Those three played in the COSAFA Cup final which is an added advantage as they know how to manage high pressure situations that they will be in at CHAN 2024.

Kenya therefore have their work cut out in Group A and while Morocco and DR Congo have their threats, Angola presents another dynamic that they will have to cope with, to have any chance at the tournament.