KASARANI STADIUM, Nairobi,17th August –Harambee Stars have set up a mouthwatering quarterfinals clash against Madagascar after edging away Zambia’s Chipolopolo 1-0 in a Total Energies CAF CHAN 2024 match played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Nairobi today.
It was on-form Stars talisman Ryan Ogam who fired a low, ferocious volley into the net past the Zambian goalie Charles Kalumba to make it 1-0, sending into frenzy an ecstatic crowd which comprised President William Ruto and former Premier Raila Odinga.
This was after a dazzling move by dependable supersub Boniface Muchiri who outwitted defenders in the 75th minute.
Minutes later, Stars goalie Farouk Shikhalo was called into action when he parried away Chipolopolo captain Kelvin Kampamba’s bazooka outside 18.
Ogam has now taken his tournament goal tally to two having scored the winning goal against Morocco.
Kenya should have doubled their lead in the 85th minute, but Nabwire’s close-range shot was saved by the goalie.
Minutes later, Muchiri’s scintillating free kick was punched away by the Zambia goalkeeper at the top right corner.
Earlier in the first half, the Stars’ deputy captain, Michael Kibwage, cleared with his head a goal-bound ball on the defence lines from a dangerous Chipolopolo corner.
Kenya brightly responded when diminutive midfielder Austin Odhiambo delivered a perfect cross, which was parried away by the goalkeeper, but Kenya’s striker Ryan Ogam missed to convert.
Odhiambo later forced the Chipolopolo goalkeeper to punch away a beautiful free kick at the far post.
In the 22nd minute, Stars captain Aboud Omar’s sizzling 24-yard shot was deflected for a corner by the opponent’s defender.
With several near-misses, the two teams settled for a draw in the first half.
In search of enough power fire upfront, Stars tactician Benni McCarthy brought in winger Muchiri and Masoud Juma to replace Austine Odhiambo and David Sakwa.
Stars appealed for a penalty after a right-footed cross by Muchiri was ‘handled’ by Chipolopolo defence as they attempted to clear away, but the Gambian centre referee Lamin Jammeh ignored the appeal at 62 minutes.
The stellar performing Stars will be proud new homeowners (2-bedroom house), and will receive Sh2.5 million for each player as part of their tourney promises from President William Ruto for making it to the CHAN 2024 quarters.
Apart from the quarter finals berth, Kenya won the top Group A with 10 points, followed by Morocco(9), the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC-6), Angola(4) and Zambia(0).
Morocco Atlas Lions will face the Group B unbeaten leaders, Tanzania Taifa Stars, at the Benjamin Mkapa International Stadium in Dar Es Salaam.
Winless Zambia were bundled out of the tournament, having been beaten by their opponents.
The ex-Chelsea Avram Grant side ended the CHAN 2024 campaign without a solitary goal.
