Harambee Stars' Alpha Onyango in action against Ibrahim Matobo of DRC/HANDOUT
Three matches have built the ladder: a win over DR Congo, a draw with Angola, and the unforgettable victory over Morocco.
Now only Zambia remain between Harambee Stars and the summit of Group A. At Kasarani on Sunday, it will not be about escaping danger — it will be about planting the Kenyan flag on the highest peak.
For Kenya, the stakes are no longer about survival — they are about pride, authority, and stamping their dominance as kings of the so-called group of death.
With seven points from three matches, Harambee Stars have already booked their ticket to the quarterfinals.
They arrived here the hard way — beating DR Congo 1-0 in a tactical arm wrestle, holding Angola 1-1 in a nerve-wracking draw, and then, in a performance that will be spoken of in Kenyan football folklore, stunning tournament favourites Morocco 1-0.
The mathematics now is simple: Kenya cannot be overtaken by either Angola or Zambia. The only battle left is to finish top, an accolade that could shape the knockout path ahead.
Coach Benni McCarthy said the team’s focus is clear: “We’ve come this far because the boys have played with heart, discipline, and belief. Now it’s about finishing the job — topping the group sends a message that Kenya are here not just to participate, but to compete for the trophy.”
Why Zambia still matters
On paper, Sunday’s clash at Kasarani is a formality for the Stars. Angola and Zambia are both mathematically out, unable to match Kenya’s points tally even if results go their way. Even if Angola wins their final match, they can only reach seven points, the same as Kenya.
But the numbers tell a deeper story: both teams have scored three goals, yet Angola’s defensive record — six goals conceded — pales in comparison to Kenya’s rock-solid backline, which has been breached only once in the tournament.
That means even in a tie on points, Kenya’s goal difference advantage will hold. For Zambia, this will be about salvaging pride and giving their fans something to cheer about. For Kenya, it’s a chance to rotate the squad without losing rhythm — a delicate balance between resting legs and keeping the winning momentum.
A test of mentality
Captain Abud Omar, who has led with the authority of a general and the calm of a veteran, believes the Zambia game is a perfect rehearsal for the knockout stages.
He said, “We can’t drop our standards just because we are already through. Football punishes complacency. Zambia will want to end on a high, so we must match their hunger with our own. We want to finish top and carry that confidence into the quarters.”
Kenya’s defensive solidity has been the backbone of their campaign, anchored by goalkeeper Byrne Omondi’s cat-like reflexes and a backline marshalled with discipline.
The midfield, spearheaded by Austin Odhiambo, has been a blend of grit and guile, while forward Ryan Ogam’s decisive strike against Morocco has elevated him to national hero status.
The Group 'A' puzzle
While the Stars’ destiny is sealed, the drama will unfold elsewhere. Later on Sunday at Nyayo Stadium, Morocco and DR Congo, both on six points, will engage in a high-stakes duel for the second quarterfinal slot.
A win for either side will take them to nine points, but a draw would introduce the tiebreakers — goal difference and goals scored. The equation is cruelly simple: only one can survive to join Kenya in the knockouts.
McCarthy admitted, “It’s a strange position to be in — knowing we are safe before the final match. But it’s also a dangerous one if we let our guard down. Winning the group gives us a psychological edge and possibly a more favourable opponent in the quarters.”
Kasarani: Fortress and stage
The Moi Stadium, Kasarani, will be draped in red, green, black, and white on Sunday, as fans flood in to celebrate not just a qualification, but a rebirth of belief in Kenyan football.
The stadium — with its 48,000 seats — has seen its share of heartbreaks and miracles. Sunday could add another chapter to that book. The atmosphere is expected to be electric, with drums pounding and chants cascading from the terraces.
Kenyan fans have embraced this CHAN campaign with rare optimism, sensing that McCarthy’s men have tapped into something special. Abud said, “The energy from the fans has been unreal. When you step out and hear that noise, it lifts you. Against Morocco, they were our twelfth man. Against Zambia, we want to give them another reason to dance.”
Tactics and team selection
There is speculation that McCarthy might rotate his squad to give fringe players valuable minutes. Yet, he is cautious about making wholesale changes that might disrupt the rhythm.
“We respect Zambia. This is not a friendly match,” McCarthy warned. “We might tweak things here and there, but the focus is on winning. I also want to keep players fresh for the quarters. It’s about balance.”
The Zambians, wounded by early elimination, will come with nothing to lose. That freedom can be dangerous.
Expect them to press high and test Kenya’s composure in possession. For the Stars, patience and precision will be key, picking moments to strike while keeping defensive shape.
The road ahead
Topping Group A could set Kenya up against the runners-up of Group B, a potentially less daunting opponent compared to the group winners.
In tournaments like CHAN, small margins make big differences. McCarthy, a man who has seen the heights of European football as both player and coach, knows that the knockout stage is a different battlefield.
“Once you’re in the quarters, every team believes they can win it,” he said. “We must arrive there with momentum, belief, and the hunger to keep making history.”
Sunday’s promise
As the countdown to Sunday ticks away, Kenya’s mission is clear: respect the badge, respect the fans, and respect the game. Whether McCarthy chooses his tried-and-tested warriors or gives a platform to his eager understudies, the Stars will step onto the Kasarani turf with one goal — to finish what they started. For a nation starved of continental glory, each match is more than a contest; it’s a story being written, one that could end with the lifting of a trophy.
