Kenya players huddle together after a training session at Mo international Sports Centre, Annex ground on July 18, 2025.
Even as an exercise guided by random choice, the consistent wicked accuracy of Africa Cup of Nations and Africa Nations Championships finals draws in landing Kenya in tough group borders is startling.
In the draw for the 2024 Chan on January 15, Kenya’s Harambee Stars were pooled in Group “A” with Angola, DR Congo, Morocco, and Zambia. The tough group instantly earned the “Group of Death” moniker.
It is not difficult to understand why. Out of the teams in the four tournament groups, it is Harambee Stars’ four opponents who rank among the highest in Chan experience.
DR Congo won the 2009 and 2016 editions, while Morocco won in 2018 and 2020. They are the competition’s record winners with two titles each.
They have also played the most matches in the tournament’s history, 26 and 19, respectively. With 12 wins each, the duo have also won the most matches in the competition’s history.
Angola, runners-up in 2011, ranks joint-fifth with Guinea, Niger, and Nigeria on the number of matches played at Chan – 15.
Harambee Stars' Lewis Mbadi works-out with his teammates at Police Sacco Stadium in South C, Nairobi, on July 30, 2025
Zambia, the country Harambee Stars have faced the most among its group opponents with 52 meetings, finished third in the inaugural Chan tournament held in Cote d’Ivoire in 2009. They rank fourth all-time in terms of tournament experience with 17 matches played. Zambia is one of four countries -- Algeria (six matches), Tunisia (six matches), and Madagascar (two matches), that has never lost a group stage match at Chan. Their record stretches to 12 matches.
At the 1972 Afcon, Kenya’s maiden appearance in the competition, Harambee Stars were drawn in a difficult group containing the hosts and favourites Cameroon and the West African duo of Mali and Togo. Mali reached the final while the Indomitable Lions were knocked out in the semi-finals.
In 1988, Kenya had no chance whatsoever after drawing proven continental heavyweights Cameroon, Egypt and Nigeria. Cameroon beat Nigeria 1-0 in the final.
Kenya were again drawn against giants Cameroon in the 1990 Afcon finals, together with continental giants Senegal and perennial campaigners Zambia. Stars could manage just one point in a draw with Senegal.
The expansion of Afcon to 12 teams in 1992 only served to compound Harambee Stars’ woes. Harambee Stars’ tournament ended in just four days after losing 2-1 to Nigeria and 3-0 to Senegal in their tough pool.
Harambee Stars captain Aboud Omar (right) leads his teammates in a stretching drill at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Annex ground on July 17, 2025.
Afcon 2004 had Kenya winning for the first time ever at Afcon after defeating Burkina Faso 3-0. However, defeats to Mali and Senegal hindered progress to the knock-out stages.
Harambee Stars returned to Afcon after a 15-year hiatus in 2019 but again found themselves with big boys Senegal and Algeria beside minnows Tanzania.
As expected, Algeria crushed Kenya 2-0 while Senegal tore them apart 3-0.
The two giants eventually met again in the final, with Senegal carrying a
Kenya’s results at Afcon means that they hold the record of the most appearances, six, in the competition without progressing beyond the group stages.
Harambee Stars Head coach Benni McCarthy conducts a training session at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on July 16, 2025.
Kenya’s record in Chan is decidedly dismal.
From the tournament's inception in 2009, Harambee Stars have never competitively qualified to play in the finals and, in fact, only made it to the 2024 edition as a co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.
Hopefully, with home support, there can be a change of fortunes for Harambee Stars as they prepare to fight in this treacherous group.
