When retired Kenya international McDonald Mariga pulled out Morocco at the start of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) draw at KICC, Nairobi on Wednesday night there was a audible collective groan from the audience, naturally dominated by persons from the home country.
Understandably, Morocco are a powerhouse in African football and being drawn in the same group with them would presumably mean tough times for an opponent.
It got even tougher looking for Kenya who ended up also having giants DR Congo, Angola and Zambia in the same Group ‘‘A”.
Kenyan artiste Bien performs during the draw for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on January 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation
“This is a tough group. It is the pool of death. But we will be prepared,” Mariga said at the end of the draw.
Defending champions Senegal were the top seed in Group “D” with Republic of Congo, Sudan and Nigeria being drawn alongside them.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania will co-host the 19-nation biennial tournament -- for players turning out in African leagues -- in August under the “Pamoja” umbrella as a dress rehearsal for the more glamorous 2027 African Cup of Nations.
Kenya drawn against Morocco, DRC in delayed 2024 CHAN
The kick off was postponed from February 1 to August by CAF , who said the three East African countries had not met all the technical conditions to stage a successful tournament.
While Kenya is ranked 108 out of 210 countries in the world, Morocco are placed 14, DR Congo 62, Angola (85) and Zambia 87.
“Kenya has always had good players, but the FA leadership has always been the problem,” the-much travelled Mariga gave his assessment as he backed Harambee Stars to go all the way to the final.
Mariga, a Uefa Champions League winner with Italian giants Inter Milan, was among the three East African legends who conducted the draw. The others were Ugandan Hassan Wasswa and Mrisho Ngasa of Tanzania.
Harambee Stars interim assistant coach, John Kamau, said playing strong teams will motivate the local players who will want to attract top club scouts.
Kenyan Sports CS Salim Mvurya (right) introduces his counterparts from Tanzania Prof Palamagamba Kabudi (centre) and Uganda Peter Ogwang during the draw for the delayed 2024 Africa Nations Championships at KICC on January 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation
“The tournament has been pushed forward, but we were even ready to play if it was held next month as planned earlier. Playing big teams is a good motivation for the boys. A big number of the players who did duty in Mapinduzi Cup in Zanzibar are ready to play, but we must start serious preparations early,” added Kamau.
Another Stars interim assistant coach Zedekiah Otieno said: “Being pushed forward gives ample time to prepare and produce a strong team for the tournament.”
Former Harambee Stars captains, James Situma and Allan Wanga, echoed the coaches’ remarks, believing that Kenya will give a good account, adding that if prepared well, Francis Kimanzi’s team has what it takes to put up a sterling performance and go all the way to lift the trophy at home.
Mickey ‘T9’ Weche, who captained Harambee Stars during the 1987 All African Games, said the decision to postpone the tournament from February to August was a blessing in disguise, urging the federation to start immediate preparations for the team.
“We have a high chance of performing well and advance from this group, but we must start preparing now,” added Weche, who was in the star-studded squad that controversially lost to Egypt at Kasarani on August 12, 1978.
Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee said Kimanzi should be given enough time to prepare the team, adding that postponing the tournament is an advantage to Kenya.
“He had a mixed squad in Zanzibar that played well during the Mapinduzi Cup," said Mulee.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed makes his remarks during the draw for the delayed 2024 African Nations Championship at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on January 15, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation
“The tournament will underline just how far African football has come in the 16 years since the first edition was held,” said former Uganda national team captain Wasswa.
The tournament, known for sponsorship purposes as the TotalEnergies, will see the continent’s best local players and coaches mingling with sports leaders, politicians, administrative elite and fans from all over the world.
“We want to take great courage and sacrifice to deliver an unforgettable tournament. We want to follow the road to its very end as we look forward to elevate the game in our region and beyond,” said FKF President Hussein Mohamed.
Kenyan Sports Minister Salim Mvurya said the country was ready to host the tournament even before it was postponed. “We will only improve on our preparations.”
“I’m very grateful to the three Presidents, William Ruto of Kenya, Samia Suluhu Hassan and Yoweri Museveni for their courage and sacrifice. The sacrifices made must not be underestimated,” said CAF president Patrice Motsepe through video link.
“We welcome the thousands of players, coaches, VIPS, journalists and fans. We expect the tournament to leave behind an inheritance, in terms of sports and others infrastructure, that will benefit future generations as we believe in true spirit of football,” said Nicholas Musonye, who is the CHAN Organising Committee chairman.
Sports Ministers from the three countries- Mvurya (Kenya), Peter Ogwang (Uganda) and Palamagamba Kabudi (Tanzania), promised a successful tournament come August.
The federations’ bosses, Mohamed, Moses Magogo (Uganda) and Wallace Karia (Tanzania) requested CAF to stage the tournament under the name ‘Pamoja’ Cup. “One of our three countries must be in the final. We must fight hard to make sure this trophy does not leave this region. This is the message to the rest of the continent,” said Magogo.
“May this be another memorable CHAN before the main Afcon feast in 2027, giving our continent a stage on which Africa and its football can bask in the attention of the rest of the world,” added Karia.
