CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars Probable Starting Line Up v DR Congo

All eyes will be on Kasarani Stadium this afternoon as Harambee Stars take on DR Congo in a highly anticipated African Nations Championships  (CHAN) 2024 clash. 

The match, set to kick off at 3:00 PM EAT on August 2, promises to be a thrilling encounter, with head coach Benni McCarthy expected to name a strong and balanced starting eleven for the showdown. 

With home support firmly behind them, the Stars will look to impose their style and secure a vital victory in front of their fans.

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

Byrne Omondi will likely get the nod in goal, which makes a lot of sense given his calm and collected nature which prevents 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, one of the other three members of the squad that was part of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations delegation.

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, 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.

Alphonce Omija has been a key Harambee Stars player ever since his debut against Ivory Coast in Malawi in June 2024. He will be expected to marshal the defence alongside Sylvester Owino, his Gor Mahia teammate.

However, there are doubts about that pairing, which has often found itself committing mistakes at club level for K’Ogalo this season. However, McCarthy will prefer familiarity in terms of on-pitch understanding, which is what puts him ahead of Michael Kibwage and Manzur Okwaro.

The towering center back will be starting alongside Omija against DR Congo as explained above.

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.

A late call-up drafted in to replace Brian Musa, Chris Erambo will be starting as the defensive midfielder, tasked with winning balls and creating a platform for his two number eights ahead of him to influence play in attack.

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.

The creative hub of the team, Austin Odhiambo will start as the left sided number eight, whose job will be to spray those line-breaking passes and 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.

The only direct profile of winger in the squad, David Sakwa will be expected to start at right wing for the game, which means Shabana’s Brian Michira will have to start on the bench.

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.

The other experienced member of the squad, Boniface Muchiri will be starting on the left, and will be expected to use his one-v-one sense to isolate his right back and create space for other players.

He is also very good at winning fouls and then delivering dangerous freekicks and corners.

Masoud Juma will be starting upfront on his own. His back to goal play, willingness to defend from the front as well as run the channels in equal measure will be crucial, as will be his clinical nature.

CHAN 2024: Harambee Stars Probable Starting Line Up v DR Congo

Give it a compelling intro and outro. Remember the game between Harambee Stars and DR Congo is today from 3.00 PM at Kasarani Stadium (August 2). Do not change the body please. Just correct spelling mistakes.

As the countdown to kick-off narrows, the Harambee Stars will be hoping their chosen eleven delivers a performance worthy of the occasion.

 Backed by the home crowd at Kasarani, and with DR Congo providing stiff competition, it's all set for a pulsating CHAN 2024 encounter. Let the battle begin.