CHAN 2024: Alphonse Omija Insists Harambee Stars Are Under No Pressure Ahead of Group of Death Clash

Harambee Stars defender Alphonse Omija is unafraid of locking horns with Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Angola in Group A of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).

Harambee Stars will go into the tournament as debutants, looking to silence the most successful teams in CHAN. Morocco and DR Congo are two-time champions with Tunisia, Libya and Senegal having won a title each.

DR Congo won the titles in 2009 and 2016, with Morocco claiming back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2020, and both teams will be looking to continue their dominance as they lock horns with Harambee Stars.

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Despite their impressive track record, Gor Mahia midfielder Alphonse Omija remains defiant that Harambee Stars have all it takes to earn the maximum points and go past the group stages.

Omija pointed out that training has been nothing short of impressive, and as Harambee Stars count days to their first match of the tournament, they are confident about the result.

Harambee Stars will be up against DR Congo on Sunday, August 3, in a match set to be played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Alphonse Omija added that Harambee Stars are ready to face any team, regardless of their previous success, noting that they have all trained well and included some of their best players despite the recent setbacks.

“It’s a good feeling, we are getting ready to make the country proud. We are getting ready to do what we want to do in our career, and so, overall, it’s a good feeling for every player to be here,” Alphonse Omija told FKF Media.

“We are very confident, we are prepared to face every team, and there is no team bigger than the other. It’s football, and anything can happen, and there is nothing like fearing any opponent because we are all talented.

“The hard work will continue as we get ready to face every team…we are ready for this task. The senior players are motivating the new players, and we want to achieve our goal at the end of the day.”

Harambee Stars have faced several hiccups as they look to impress on home soil. Mohammed Bajaber is the latest withdrawal from the squad, with rumours suggesting that he is on the verge of joining Tanzanian giants Simba SC.

Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro, strikers as well, joined Zambian Super League Champions Power Dynamos FC, withdrawing from CHAN.

Injuries have also plagued Harambee Stars, but Alphonse Omija remains confident, insisting that nothing is going to slow them down.