Harambee Stars: 5 Big Winners from Impressive CHAN 2024 Campaign

Harambee Stars might have been knocked out of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) but they left a lasting impression.

Kenya were among those considered minnows before the tournament started but they pulled off the unexpected and made it past what was considered the ‘Group of Death’ following wins against DR Congo, Morocco and Zambia as well as a draw with Angola.

Their journey, however, ended at the quarter-final, where they were knocked out by Madagascar on post-match penalties, but from coach Benni McCarthy’s squad, there were a number of top performers who left the tournament with their stock high.

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The Gor Mahia midfielder was one of the standout performers, not just for Kenya but in the tournament, with his impressive show in the middle of the pack making Harambee Stars tick.

He was voted man of the match twice and it is not hard to see why as he was the key link between defence and attack, cutting out danger while making driving runs forward that set up his team-mates to go and attack.

Gor Mahia might have a battle to keep hold of him as interest from abroad is likely to be registered.

Another top performer at the tournament, youngster Manzur Okwaro slotted seamlessly into central midfield despite the fact that he is a defender by trade.

The KCB man provided a great shield for the back four with his calmness even in dangerous moments helping Harambee Stars avoid conceding cheap goals as Kenya ended the tournament with just two conceded in five games.

His reading of the game and an ability to intercept dangerous passes ensured Harambee Stars were hard to beat and he is now said to be attracting interest from North Africa and Europe.

Kenya’s last line of defence, Harambee Stars’ three clean sheets in five matches were largely down to the shot-stopping of the new Gor Mahia goalkeeper, who was a mountain in goal.

Whenever his defence was breached, Byrne Omondi was there to pull off spectacular saves to preserve his team’s advantage and were it not for the unfortunate handball against Madagascar, he could have ended with four clean sheets.

Omondi’s calmness added stability and confidence into the defence while impressive distribution helped his team-mates launch quick attacks and the likes of Ian Otieno and Brian Bwire might now find it hard to dislodge him after they had taken advantage of his injury last year.

Another newly-signed Gor Mahia player, defender Michael Kibwage might have missed a penalty in the shootouts against Madagascar but that cannot be used to judge his performance.

Having been on the bench against DR Congo and Angola, Kibwage was handed a start against Morocco and never looked back.

The former Tusker FC defender brought a calming presence in defence, showing maturity and experience as he marshalled the rest of the back four and won most of his ground and aerial duels.

Kibwage also rarely put a foot wrong while his passes were a joy to watch and Gor Mahia will be happy that they moved quickly to sign him before a battle with other clubs in Kenya and beyond for his signature ensued.

Ryan Ogam came into the tournament with question marks over his fitness but he allayed all that with his good performances as he scored against Morocco and Zambia, both match winners, and he should have won the quarter-final had his goal not been chopped off for a foul in the build-up.

What the Tusker striker displayed in plenty is his efficiency in and around the box as he does not need two chances to score.

Ogam hovers in the penalty area and whenever he receives the ball, he only has one thing on his mind, something that will delight McCarthy, who will have a striker of a different quality to call upon besides Michael Olunga.

With Moses Shumah and Emmanuel Osoro, the top two scorers in the league, ditching camp just before the tournament started, McCarthy had a strikers headache but Ogam solved it when he was allowed to operate as a lone centre forward and he is also another player who will likely join paid ranks abroad soon.