'This is What Hurt Us' - DR Congo Coach Breaks Down Loss to Harambee Stars

Harambee Stars silenced two-time champions DR Congo in their opening match of the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday, August 3.

DR Congo entered the match as favourites to dominate, but Harambee Stars had other plans for them, scoring just before the end of the first half courtesy of Austin Odhiambo.

DR Congo head coach Otis Ngoma has since opened up about what cost his side victory over Harambee Stars as they look to claim their third CHAN 2024 title.

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According to coach Ngoma, the poor displayed stemmed from the players’ rustiness and not having enough time in their camp before the championship.

With Congo’s domestic league season ending prematurely and players lacking match fitness ahead of CHAN 2024, the Leopards entered the tournament underprepared.

The Congolese side had just two and a half weeks to prepare, a timeframe Ngoma acknowledged was inadequate for developing team chemistry and cohesion.

“We have players who are lacking in competition. Today we lost a lot of balls, missed goal opportunities—perhaps due to fatigue, inattention, lack of concentration, but also other details,” Ngoma said in the post-match press conference as quoted by CAF Online.

“The pre-competition training camp wasn't what it should have been. The early end of our championship meant the players hadn’t played enough. This is what hurt us tonight.”

A member of the Congolese technical team admitted that his team had not been incisive enough, and while there was good ball circulation, he felt the execution in the attacking third lacked bite.

The defeat extends a troubling pattern for Ngoma, who remains in search of his first win in the final phase of a CHAN tournament as head coach. It also leaves DR Congo in a vulnerable position ahead of a pivotal second match.

However, the coach remains confident about their three matches to play, noting that his team is capable of turning things around.

“We’ll get back into shape as the matches go by. We only need six points to qualify, and there are still three matches to go. I’m confident the players will bounce back quickly,” he said.

“Another defeat would put us on the brink of elimination. We need to restore confidence in the group and go for that first victory.”

The early defeat has ramped up the pressure on the Congolese squad, who now bear the weight of both expectation and legacy.

Inside the camp, the mood remains focused yet cautious. Zambia, with their physical and experienced squad, will pose a formidable challenge.