Zambia’s Jackson Kampamba (right) tussles with Angola’s Antonio Da Silva during their 2024 African Nations Championship Group “A” match at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday. Zambia face Morocco while Angola tackle DR Congo in Group “A” matches today.
Kenya could well secure their 2024 African Nations Championship quarter-final berth today without kicking the ball.
Group “A” heavyweights Morocco face Zambia at Nyayo Stadium while Angola tackle DR Congo at Moi International Sports Centre.
If both fixtures end in a draw, group leaders Kenya, on seven points, will not only secure their last eight spot, but also end up as group winners.
Draws today would put Angola on five points after four matches and out of the running for qualification, while Morocco and DR Congo would be tied on four points with one match each in hand, and Zambia on one point.
The best Morocco and DR Congo would then collect at the end of the preliminary round is seven points apiece. Kenya of course, beat both countries and would prevail on the head-to-head count.
Benni McCarthy and Harambee Stars could just be cheering Zambia and Angola on. Wins for the two nations will also see Kenya guaranteed of featuring in the knock-out stages without needing to kick a ball on Sunday.
Harambee Stars players during their 2024 Chan Group 'A' match against Morocco at Kasarani on August 10, 2025.
But those are all projections, and the reality is the four nations in action today will all be playing for wins as they also eye passage to the quarters.
“Die Musici”, known in English as “Music Alone Shall Live” is a German folk song that celebrates the immortality and power of music. “All things shall perish from under the sky, music alone shall live, never shall die”, the song’s lyrics go.
Fittingly, teams competing at Chan appear to understand the power of music and have been using it to relax and motivate themselves ahead of matches.
This is particularly true for 2011 runners-up Angola and 2009 losing semi-finalists Zambia. The two teams will be tapping into the power of music to inspire their progress to the tournament’s knock-out stages.
“Music is something that we live everyday. It gives us strength and peace. It gives us strength and motivation to win matches,” Angola defender Antonio Hossi said yesterday at Kasarani during the pre-match press conference.
Angola, coached by the Portuguese Pedro Goncalves, will be desperate for victory as any other result will complicate their chances of staying in the tournament.
Still, a win over their northern neighbours will see them enter a nervous three-day wait for the results in the Zambia-Kenya and DR Congo-Morocco matches, hoping they go their way to seal their place in the quarter-finals.
Morocco's Anass El Mahroui (left) tussles for the ball with Angola's Vanilson Tita during 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) on August 3, 2025 at Nyayo National Stadium.
Extending their stay in the competition will help Hossi learn more Kiswahili words. Currently, his favourite Kenyan expression is “chap chap” -- hurry up.
Zambia’s Chipolopolo player Kelvin Kampamba intimated that they are not in a hurry to leave Chan despite their precarious position. “We will give our best in our remaining two matches,” he said at the presser.
Zambia can still qualify for the knock-out stages if they win today and on Sunday against Kenya, and DR Congo draws their remaining matches against Angola and Morocco. Kampamba also received praise from his coach, Avram Grant over his role as the team’s DJ. “He is responsible for the music in the team, and he does a great job,” the former Chelsea and Portsmouth coach said.
“I am the cheerleader of the team. Football has certain spiritual aspects to it, and that is where music comes in because it helps us to relieve pressure,” said Kampamba, who also confirmed that he is not related to his teammate Jackson Kampamba.
Angola and Morocco winning will throw a spanner in the works for Harambee Stars, particularly if Palanca Negras’s victory gives them a superior goal difference to Kenya’s.
Should that happen, Harambee Stars will have to avoid defeat against Zambia on Sunday to qualify for the knock-out stages.
Winning on Sunday for Harambee Stars will mean top spot in Group “A”, and home advantage in the quarter-finals.
