Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium erupted in celebration as Ryan Ogam’s powerful 75th-minute strike sealed a 1-0 victory for Kenya over Zambia, securing top spot in CHAN Group A for the Harambee Stars.
The win marked Kenya’s third of the group stage, complementing their only previous result a 1-1 draw against Angola and earned them a perfect 10 points from their four matches.
Ogam’s decisive left-footed finish inside the 18-yard box, beautifully assisted by substitute Muchiri, was his second goal of the tournament and broke a determined Zambian resistance.
The goal ignited wild jubilation among the home fans, capping a performance where Kenya showed attacking intent but initially struggled to convert chances.
The Stars started brightly, with Austine Odhiambo and Ryan Ogam combining effectively down the left flank early on. Despite their pressure, clear opportunities were missed.
Zambia provided an early scare in the 8th minute, forcing a crucial headed clearance from Kibwage off a corner. Kenya’s defence looked briefly unsettled, and Ogam spurned a golden chance in the 10th minute, failing to properly connect with a loose ball in the box from an Odhiambo cut-back.
Although Kenya created several more chances and arguably played their most entertaining football of the tournament so far in the first half, they couldn’t find the breakthrough against a Zambian side with an impressive CHAN record (only three losses in four editions). The teams went into halftime locked at 0-0, maintaining Kenya’s unbeaten status in their debut campaign.
Head coach Benni Mccarthy’s tactical influence was evident once more. His impactful substitutions, including the introduction of Muchiri who provided the assist, proved crucial. Kenya’s disciplined defence, breached only once so far in the tournament (during the draw with Angola where they played most of the match with ten men), held firm again to secure the clean sheet.
In the other key Group A fixture, two-time champions Morocco secured their quarterfinal place as runners-up with a commanding 3-1 victory over fellow two-time champions, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Kenya now advances to face Madagascar in the quarterfinals at Kasarani Stadium. Madagascar finished second in Group B with 7 points. Meanwhile, Morocco will play Group B winners and tournament co-hosts Tanzania, who topped their group with 10 points, setting up a highly anticipated East African clash.
