CHAN 2024: Yanga SC Midfielder Confident Benni McCarthy Can Guide Harambee Stars to Success

Tanzanian giants Young Africans (Yanga SC) midfielder Duke Abuya has backed Harambee Stars to impress at the African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) scheduled for August 2 to 30.

The event will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, and all eyes will be on Harambee Stars to impress and hopefully get to the final, which will be played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.

Harambee Stars are drawn into Group A alongside DR Congo, Angola, Zambia and Morocco and will begin their campaign on August 3. All Harambee Stars matches will be played at Kasarani.

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Duke Abuya believes that with Benni McCarthy, Harambee Stars have a chance to make a mark and come out victorious.

Benni McCarthy was unveiled as the new head coach of Harambee Stars on March 3, 2025, and he has since guided the squad in a series of matches, including two World Cup qualifier matches against Gambia and Gabon.

Against Gambia, Harambee Stars drew 3-3 before losing 2-1 to Gabon. They also played two international friendly matches against Chad, with one ending in a goalless draw. In the second friendly, Harambee Stars handed Benni McCarthy his first victory.

Duke Abuya pointed out that Benni McCarthy has named a strong field, which comprises the Kenya Police FC duo of Mohammed Bajaber and Abud Omar.

Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo, AFC Leopards midfielder Marvin Nabwire, Ulinzi Stars player Boniface Muchiri and Tusker FC star Ryan Ogam have also been named in the squad, among other stars.

“It is a team of young players, and I feel they have a very good chance to do well, if they do whatever the coach wants them to do. I think coach Benni has assembled a really good team which can compete with the rest of the continent,” Duke Aubuya said as per Telecom Asia.

“He is a really good coach who knows what he is doing and also has a good backroom staff. It is not an easy group but if the boys can play to instructions, then they will get a result. We will be there to cheer them on.”

With a strong squad, experienced coaching under Benni McCarthy, and growing belief from regional stars like Duke Abuya, Harambee Stars head into CHAN 2024 with both talent and momentum ready to rise to the occasion on home soil.