Kenya’s journey at the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) ended on a bitter note Friday evening following a 4-3 loss quarter finals loss to Madagascar on post-match penalties at Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani in Nairobi.
The matched ended in a 1-1 deadlock after regular and extra time.
Defender Alphonce Omija had fired Kenya ahead in the 48th minute with a towering header, but Madagascar equalised in the 69th minute when forward Fenohasina Gilles Razafimaro converted from the penalty spot.
In the post-match penalties, Kenya scored through Mohammed Siraj, Daniel Sakari and Sylvester Owino while Michael Kibwage and Alphonce Omoja missed.
But even as debutants Kenya exits the showpiece, they will take pride in their performance, having defied the expectations to reach the quarter-finals.
Harambee Stars players pose for group photo before the 2024 Chan quarter final match between Kenya and Madagascar at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Drawn in the “Group of Death” alongside heavyweights Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola, many had initially written Kenya off in the tournament.
But the home boys coach by South African football legend Benni McCarthy put up a spirited performance to top the group with 10 points.
Kenya stunned DRC 1-0 before battling to a 1-1 draw with Angola. Harambee Stars then edged giants Morocco 1-0 before capping that impressive group-stage campaign with another narrow 1-0 victory over Zambia.
Remarkably, Stars played over an hour with 10 men against both Morocco and Angola following red cards to midfielders Marvine Nabwire and Chrispine Erambo.
After playing all minutes in Kenya’s four group matches, defender Sylvester Owino was benched against Madagascar while goalkeeper Byrne Odhiambo made a return to the goal-post after being rested against Zambia on Sunday.
Kenya's Alphonce Omija (left) vies for the ball with Nantainaina Mika of Madagascar during their CHAN quarter finals match at Moi Internationals Sports Centre, Kasarani on August 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Speedy-winger Boniface Muchiri, who stood-out against Zambia after coming in as a second-half substitute, also earned a starting berth against the Indian Ocean islanders while striker Ryan Ogam, who scored the winning goals against both Angola and Morocco, also started the match.
On the other hand, Madagascar's’ veteran goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa maintained his place in the starting lineup. The 39-year-old headed into the match looking to produce another man-of-the-match performance and help the “Barea” advance to the semi-finals.
At group stage, Ramandimbisoa was named the man-of-the-match three times - against Mauritania, Central Africa Republic and Burkina Faso.
Omar’s deflected free-kick
Kenya was the better side in the first-half where neither team found the back of the net. Madagascar’s goalkeeper Ramandimbisoa was called into action as early as the second minute, stretching well to punch Omar’s deflected free-kick.
That bright start by the home boys set off an electric atmosphere at Kasarani with the enthusiastic fans roaring at every Kenyan attack and groaning at every wasted opportunity.
Manzur Sulleiman (righ) of Kenya evade a tackle from a Madagascar opponent during the 2024 African Nations Championship match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 22, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
If Kenya were to score in the first-half, it always looked like it would come from the left flank where speedy winger Boniface Muchiri was a constant threat.
In what was one of the most fluid moves by the hosts in the first half, Muchiri combined neatly with Marvine Nabwire who picked out Suleiman Manzur. The midfielder laid the ball to Ogam at the edge of the box but the striker’s shot was blocked, drawing loud sighs from the disappointed fans.
Goalkeeper Ramandimbisoa once again showed his class in the 39th minute, reacting fast to gather Muchiri’s dangerous cross before Ogam could pounce. In search of variety, Muchiri and Ben Staley Omondi swapped flanks late in the first-half with Ben Staley Omondi moving to the right wing.
Madagascar made the match’s first change after halftime, Nantenaina Andy Rakotondrajoa and Toky Rakotondraibe coming in for Jean Luc Ranaivoson and Andriamirado Andrianarimanana respectively.
But it was Kenya who took the lead in the 48th minute with defender Alphonce Omija rising highest to head home Muchiri’s free-kick. That goal brought the roof down at Kasarani.
Harambee Stars fans at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani for the 2024 Chan quarter final match between Kenya and Madagascar.
Photo credit: Nation Media Group
Moments later, Kenya thought they had doubled their lead Ogam’s clinical strike was ruled out for a in the build up. Harambee Stars continued to dictate the pace of the match but failed to make their dominance count.
Then in the 69th minute, Razafimaro drew Madagascar level from the penalty spot following a handball in Kenya’s box.
Harambee Stars would have restored their lead in the 80th minute but Nabwire’s shot hit the crossbar.
McCarthy made several other changes with teenage striker Austine Odongo finally getting minutes in the tournament.
However, after extra time there was nothing to separate the two teams, with Madagascar eventually running out winners from the penalty shootout.
