Debut Alert: Kenya and CAR prepare for their first CHAN appearance
Kenya's Harambee Stars will feature in the biennial competition for the first time, earning qualification by virtue of being one of three co-hosts.
This will also be the first time the tournament is jointly hosted by three countries, and Kenya will be eager to prove that their inclusion is more than just a stroke of fortune and show they belong among Africa's best.
Despite multiple past attempts, the Harambee Stars have consistently fallen at the final hurdle in qualification.
Now, under the leadership of new head coach Benni McCarthy who is embarking on his first senior national team assignment, Kenya has a golden opportunity to showcase its potential on home soil.
The Stars have been drawn into a tough Group A alongside former champions Morocco and DR Congo, as well as Angola and Zambia.
All of Kenya's group matches will be played at the iconic Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, the same venue where the country reached the final of the 1987 All-Africa Games.
Kenya will be banking on home advantage and the unwavering support of their passionate fans to propel them toward their minimum goal: reaching the Round of 16.
Coach McCarthy has already named a 30-man provisional squad, which will be trimmed to the final 23 at least a week before the tournament. Kenya's campaign kicks off on August 3 with an opener against DR Congo.
Also making their tournament debut is the Central African Republic.
The Fauves de Bas-Oubangui earned their place at the tournament in a commanding manner, eliminating continental heavyweights Cameroon on the away goals rule.
After losing the first leg 1-0 at home (played in Ivory Coast), CAR staged a stunning comeback in the return leg at Bafoussam's Stade Omnisports, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to a late strike by Bertillon Arnold Yangana.
Head coach Eloge Enza has named a provisional 30-man squad, and the team has begun its preparations in the capital, Bangui.
CAR has been placed in Group B, where they will take on co-hosts Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso in matches set to be played in Dar es Salaam.
Like the Harambee Stars, the Central African Republic will be aiming to advance past the group stages in their first appearance at the tournament tailor-made for homegrown talent.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CAF
14 hours ago
- CAF
Debut Alert: Kenya and CAR prepare for their first CHAN appearance
The eighth edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) will mark a historic milestone, as two nations, Kenya and the Central African Republic (CAR), make their debut in the tournament. Kenya's Harambee Stars will feature in the biennial competition for the first time, earning qualification by virtue of being one of three co-hosts. This will also be the first time the tournament is jointly hosted by three countries, and Kenya will be eager to prove that their inclusion is more than just a stroke of fortune and show they belong among Africa's best. Despite multiple past attempts, the Harambee Stars have consistently fallen at the final hurdle in qualification. Now, under the leadership of new head coach Benni McCarthy who is embarking on his first senior national team assignment, Kenya has a golden opportunity to showcase its potential on home soil. The Stars have been drawn into a tough Group A alongside former champions Morocco and DR Congo, as well as Angola and Zambia. All of Kenya's group matches will be played at the iconic Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, the same venue where the country reached the final of the 1987 All-Africa Games. Kenya will be banking on home advantage and the unwavering support of their passionate fans to propel them toward their minimum goal: reaching the Round of 16. Coach McCarthy has already named a 30-man provisional squad, which will be trimmed to the final 23 at least a week before the tournament. Kenya's campaign kicks off on August 3 with an opener against DR Congo. Also making their tournament debut is the Central African Republic. The Fauves de Bas-Oubangui earned their place at the tournament in a commanding manner, eliminating continental heavyweights Cameroon on the away goals rule. After losing the first leg 1-0 at home (played in Ivory Coast), CAR staged a stunning comeback in the return leg at Bafoussam's Stade Omnisports, coming from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to a late strike by Bertillon Arnold Yangana. Head coach Eloge Enza has named a provisional 30-man squad, and the team has begun its preparations in the capital, Bangui. CAR has been placed in Group B, where they will take on co-hosts Tanzania, Madagascar, Mauritania, and Burkina Faso in matches set to be played in Dar es Salaam. Like the Harambee Stars, the Central African Republic will be aiming to advance past the group stages in their first appearance at the tournament tailor-made for homegrown talent.
CAF
14 hours ago
- CAF
TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024 Host Country Workshops underway as CAF and the Three Host Nations kick-off Last Lap of Preparations
Published: Thursday, 03 July 2025 The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024 will kick-off in just less than a month and the delegation from Confédération Africaine de Football ('CAF') is visiting the three Host Nations as part of the final lap of preparations ahead of the August 2025 event. The TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda 2024 will kick-off on 02 August in Tanzania at the Benjamin Mkapa at 20h00 local time. On Thursday, 03 July, CAF will begin the visit to the East Africa Nations in Nairobi, Kenya The Workshops and visits will focus on various functional areas including Broadcasting/TV, Safety and Security, Logistics, Team Hotels, Transport Services, Training Sites, Airports, Competitions and other key areas. Inspection dates: Kenya Visits and Workshop : 03-06 July Moi International Sports Centre and Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi, Kenya Zanzibar Visits and Workshops: 06-07 July Tanzania Visits and Workshop: 08-09 July Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Uganda Visits and Workshop: 09-10 July Mandela National Stadium in Kampala, Uganda Media Wishing to Cover and Participate in these Visits must Contact CAF Communications Officer: Mr Thabang Mazibuko: For more on the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship 2024, visit . Further Inquiries: communications@ CAF | Communication Department
CAF
14 hours ago
- CAF
McCarthy names provisional TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2024 Harambee Stars squad
Kenya's head coach Benni McCarthy has unveiled a 30-man provisional squad that will begin preparations for the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, exactly one month before the Harambee Stars play their opening match of the tournament. Kenya will co-host the biennial Continental showpiece alongside neighbours Uganda and Tanzania between 02 – 30 August 2025. Former champions and FKF Premier League's runners up Gor Mahia and Bandari FC have each contributed five players to the squad while Police FC who clinched the league title for the first time ever have four players in the 30-man list. The Ulinzi Stars duo of Staphod Odhiambo and Yakeen Muteheli will drape in national colours for the first time ever after earning their debut call ups. Meanwhile, Tusker FC goalkeeper Brian Opondo will train for the first time ever with the national team. He was called up for the last World Cup qualifiers against Gabon and The Gambia, but was not able to join up for camp. In attack, coach McCarthy has included the top three scorers from the just concluded season, with Moses Shummah (17), Emmanuel Osoro (16) and Ryan Ogam (15) all getting a nod to show their scoring prowess on the Continental stage. Ogam, who plays for Tusker FC, missed most of the second leg with a knee injury and only returned for the final game of the season, playing 45 minutes. He scored 15 goals in 19 appearances for the Brewers. McCarthy's team is scheduled to report for camp on 10 July, to begin preparation for their debut in the tournament tailor-made for local based players. The Harambee Stars have been drawn in Group A alongside DR Congo, Morocco, Angola and Zambia. They kick off their campaign against 2016 Champions DRC on 3 August at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani. FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari), Sebastian Wekesa (Kariobangi Sharks), Brian Opondo (Tusker FC) Defenders Siraj Mohammed (Bandari FC), Manzur Suleiman (KCB), Pamba Swaleh (Bandari FC), Abud Omar (Kenya Police),Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Michael Kibwage (Tusker), Daniel Sakari (Kenya Police), Lewis Bandi (AFC Leopards), Kevin Okumu (KCB) Midfielders Brian Musa( Kenya Police), Kelly Madada (AFC Leopards), Keith Imbali (Shabana), Alpha Onyango (Gor Mahia), Mathias Isogoli (KCB), Staphod Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia) Forwards Mohammed Bajaber (Kenya Police), Boniface Muchiri (Ulinzi Stars), David Sakwa (Bandari), Emmanuel Osoro (FC Talanta), Yakeen Muteheli (Ulinzi Stars), Edward Omondi (Sofapaka), Ryan Ogam (Tusker),Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Beja Nyamawi (Bandari)
