CHAN
Kenya’s gallant CHAN campaign comes to an end
Kenya’s dream run at their debut African Nations Championship (CHAN) ended in heartbreak on Friday as Madagascar held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to reach the semi-finals.
The Harambee Stars, roared on by a partisan Kasarani crowd, were bidding to reach their first continental semi-final in 38 years.
But after a tense 1-1 draw across 120 minutes, Madagascar prevailed 4-3 on spot-kicks, with Toky Rakotondraibe converting the decisive penalty after Alphonce Omija missed for the hosts.
The night began with hope for Kenya, and it was centre-back Alphonce Omija who provided it.
Just three minutes into the second half, the towering defender rose highest to meet Boniface Muchiri’s delivery and steered a precise header into the bottom corner.
It was a goal that sent Kasarani into delirium and appeared to put Benni McCarthy’s men on course for history.
Moments later, Ryan Ogam thought he had doubled the lead, but VAR intervened to chalk off the strike for a foul in the build-up. That decision proved pivotal.
Madagascar regrouped and, in the 66th minute, found their route back. A Lewis Bandi handball handed Fenohasina Razafimaro the chance from the spot, and he calmly beat Byrne Omondi to level matters.
Omija, who had given Kenya the lead, would later miss his kick in the decisive penalty sequence, underlining the cruel symmetry of football at tournament level.
Penalty shoot-out drama
With the game locked at 1-1 after extra time, the contest went to penalties.
Kenya initially matched their opponents, with Siraj Mohammed and Daniel Sakari scoring confidently. Sylvester Owino also found the net.
But pressure told as Mike Kibwage’s effort was saved by Madagascar keeper Michel Ramandimbisoa.
When Omija then dragged his attempt wide, Madagascar seized the moment.
Toky Rakotondraibe stepped up and drove his kick low past Omondi, sparking celebrations from the Malagasy players and bench.
For Kenya, it was a bitter conclusion to what had been a historic tournament.
The Harambee Stars had arrived unbeaten from the group stage, topping a pool that included former champions Morocco and DR Congo.
Coach Benni McCarthy, who had urged his players to remain calm before the quarter-final, will reflect on a campaign that delivered pride, defensive resilience, and hope for the future.
Kenya conceded just twice in five matches but struggled to score freely, a factor that ultimately cost them at this stage.
For Madagascar, their fairytale journey continues. After a bronze-medal finish at CHAN 2022, the Barea have again shown their composure on the big stage.
Romuald Felix Rakotondrabe’s side, who topped a group featuring Morocco and DR Congo, demonstrated once more their ability to dig deep under pressure.
Their goalkeeper Ramandimbisoa, already one of the tournament’s standout performers, further enhanced his reputation with two crucial penalty saves.
What next
Madagascar now advances to the semi-finals, maintaining their reputation as giant-killers on the African stage.
Kenya, meanwhile, exited with their heads held high after igniting the nation’s passion in their first CHAN appearance.
The roar of Kasarani may have been silenced, but the Harambee Stars’ showing suggests this is only the beginning of a new chapter in Kenyan football.
-CAF
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The group stage of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 has produced an exciting blend of goals, standout individual performances, and remarkable team statistics as the tournament enters the knockout phase in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
With 36 games completed, attention now turns to the eagerly awaited quarter-finals this weekend.
According to the group stage statistics, across the 36 matches, fans were treated to 74 goals – averaging just over two goals per game – and a wave of unforgettable storylines.
Goals and Key Performers
Uganda and Morocco emerged as the most dangerous in front of goal, each netting eight times. Allan Okello (Uganda), Oussama Lamlioui (Morocco) and Thabiso Kutumela (South Africa) shared the top scorer’s crown with three goals apiece, while Morocco’s Youssef Mehri led the assists chart with three decisive passes.
Defensive resilience was just as eye-catching: Kenya, Sudan and Senegal conceded only once during the entire group stage.
At the other end of the scale, Zambia struggled defensively, shipping eight goals – the most of any team.
Match-Winners and Game Changers
With 25 of the 36 matches producing outright winners, only 11 games ended in stalemates – a clear sign of teams going all out for victory.
Guinea’s Aboubacar Bangoura stood out as the tournament’s creative spark, carving out 13 chances for teammates.
Between the posts, Madagascar’s Michel Lalain’arinjaka stole the spotlight with 17 saves, while Mauritania’s Abderrahman Sarr and Tanzania’s Yakoub Ali both kept four clean sheets each.
Style of Play
Statistics underline the technical evolution of African football. A total of 20,089 passes were completed in the group stage – with Angola leading the pack with 1,737 passes, averaging nearly 350 per game.
Sudan proved the most clinical, converting over 26% of their shots on target, compared to the overall tournament average of just above 3%.
Discipline and Drama
Red cards added further intensity, with seven dismissals shaping the narrative of several key encounters. Penalties also had a role to play, with 11 goals coming from the spot, Uganda contributing three of those.
Looking Ahead
As the knockout rounds approach, the stage is set for even more excitement. With sharpshooters, solid defences and midfield maestros emerging, the race for the CHAN 2024 crown promises to be a spectacle for the ages.
Quarter-Final Showdowns Await
With the group stage concluded, focus now shifts to the quarter-finals, which promise mouthwatering clashes. Kenya will take on Madagascar in Nairobi on Friday, before Tanzania will face Morocco in Dar es Salaam.
Saturday’s fixtures see Sudan meet Algeria in Zanzibar, while Uganda battle Senegal in Kampala.
The winners will march into the semi-finals on 26 and 27 August, setting up the path to the eagerly awaited Final on 30 August in East Africa.
As the knockout stage begins, the tournament has already delivered a rich mix of attacking flair, defensive resilience, and individual brilliance – ensuring fans are braced for an enthralling finale.
-CAF
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Nigeria bowed out of CHAN 2024 at the group stage despite a 2-0 farewell win over Congo.
Coach Eric Chelle praised his “young cubs” for playing with pride after earlier setbacks.
The defeat to Sudan was identified as the team’s biggest regret of the tournament.
Chelle blamed poor preparation and late squad assembly as major factors behind Nigeria’s struggles.
Nigeria may have exited the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 at the group stage, but coach Eric Chelle believes their 2-0 victory over Congo was a glimpse of what could have been had his side enjoyed better preparation.
The Super Eagles’ parting win at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam ended Congo’s hopes of progression and gave Chelle bittersweet satisfaction.
“We showed our technical ability in the last part of the match, but we lost several balls before that,” Chelle reflected after the game.
“In any case, we played well. Our performance was great and we deserved to win the match. I really feel sorry because our last match was good, but the previous two matches had mistakes. We started at a high speed and had a lot of possession.”
Playing for Honour, Not Survival
Although Nigeria had already been eliminated before the fixture, Chelle praised his players for responding to adversity with pride.
“I don’t think my cubs let me down,” he said. “The pressure was high on these young players, and they sometimes played scared. But during the last match against Congo, they played for honour, and that’s why they performed well.
“Our players responded to the previous results and said they didn’t want to go home with zero points. That resilience will form the foundation for a stronger future.”
Chelle admitted that Nigeria’s heaviest blow was the defeat to Sudan but maintained that such setbacks are part of football.
“Our deep regret stems from our heavy defeat to Sudan, but that’s football. We will carefully analyse the Sudan match to make up for what happened in the future.”
Preparation: The Missing Ingredient
Beyond tactical errors, the coach pointed to structural failings that undermined Nigeria’s campaign before a ball was kicked.
According to him, the lack of adequate preparation time and a hastily assembled squad left the team playing catch-up.
“The preparations for a CHAN tournament should start a year in advance,” he explained. “For example, the player who won the Man of the Match award against Congo, Alex, I put him on our list for the tournament a week before we left, and everyone said, ‘Why did you call him up when he’s not known?’
“We weren’t ready to participate in this tournament. Whoever attends our training sessions will notice that our players weren’t mentally prepared to participate in this version of the tournament.”
While Nigeria’s CHAN 2024 journey ended early, Chelle insists the lessons learned — and the flashes of promise from players like 20-year-old Alex Young Oyowah — offer a platform for rebuilding ahead of future tournaments.
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Nigeria’s campaign at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 ended in disappointment, but for one young midfielder, the final whistle in Group D marked the beginning of a promising journey.
Remo Stars’ 20-year-old Alex Young Oyowah turned what was billed as a dead-rubber fixture into his personal breakthrough, making his first competitive start for Nigeria and walking away with the Man of the Match award in the 2-0 win over Congo.
A Debut to Remember
With the Super Eagles already eliminated before their last group outing, coach Eric Chelle handed Oyowah his first start — a bold move that drew scepticism in some quarters.
The youngster repaid that faith with a disciplined, assured performance that not only helped secure Nigeria’s first victory of the tournament but also underlined his potential as one of the country’s next midfield leaders.
“I feel very proud to have been named Man of the Match in our match against Congo,” Oyowah said afterwards.
“This is like two opportunities, one for me and one for Nigeria. This is my first match and our last in the group, and we were able to win.”
His display reflected not just individual flair but also tactical discipline and mental composure under pressure. Oyowah credited Chelle’s instructions for inspiring the team to finish on a high, despite their elimination.
A Glimpse of the Future
For Nigeria, the early exit was a setback, but Oyowah’s emergence offered a silver lining. His performance carried the hallmarks of maturity beyond his years — ball retention, positional awareness, and a refusal to shrink in the face of adversity.
“We did not want to lose the match despite the elimination,” Oyowah said. “I think Nigerians feel proud after our victory over Congo. We had nothing to lose. The most important thing is that we got the three points in our last match and achieved our first victory in this tournament.”
That fighting spirit resonated with fans who had grown weary of Nigeria’s struggles in the competition. For many, the midfielder’s resilience and hunger embodied the pride of the green and white jersey.
Nigeria’s New Midfield Prospect
To claim a Man of the Match award on debut at a continental tournament is no small feat.
For Oyowah, it represents both recognition and a statement — that Nigeria may have unearthed a midfielder with the character, resilience, and temperament to grow into a key figure for club and country.
While CHAN 2024 will be remembered for Nigeria’s underwhelming campaign, it may also be marked as the stage where Alex Young Oyowah first announced himself to the wider football world.
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