Harambee Stars off to a perfect start at CHAN 2024
What you need to know:
- The result marked Kenya’s third win in eight encounters against DR Congo, having previously suffered four defeats and managed one draw
Dar es Salaam. Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, kicked off their 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign in style with a 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo in their Group A opener at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
The lone goal of the match came just before halftime, in the 45th minute, when Austine Odhiambo—a key midfielder from Gor Mahia—expertly weaved through the Congolese defense to slot home a well-placed pass from striker David Sakwa.
The result marked Kenya’s third win in eight encounters against DR Congo, having previously suffered four defeats and managed one draw.
The win also signals a promising start for Harambee Stars, who are appearing in CHAN for the first time since the tournament’s inception in 2009.
Now under the leadership of South African coach Benni McCarthy, Kenya will face Angola on August 7, Morocco on August 10, and conclude their group stage fixtures against Zambia on August 17.
For DR Congo, the loss is yet another reminder of their declining fortunes in CHAN.
Despite being crowned champions in 2009 and 2016, the Leopards have struggled in recent editions—failing to score a single goal in the 2022 tournament held in Algeria, where they finished last in their group.
That 2022 edition saw Senegal lift their first CHAN title after edging hosts Algeria 5-4 on penalties in the final, following a goalless draw.
DR Congo, meanwhile, failed to find the net throughout the tournament and conceded three goals.
In that group, Senegal topped with six points, followed by Ivory Coast and Uganda with four apiece—separated only by goal difference—while DR Congo finished bottom with two points.
Established in 2009, CHAN is a biennial tournament exclusively for players competing in their national domestic leagues.
The first edition was hosted by Ivory Coast, from February 22 to March 8, and DR Congo emerged as inaugural champions.
In that final, DR Congo defeated Ghana 2-0 thanks to goals from Alain Dioko Kaluyituka and Hugues Bedi Mbeza, under the guidance of coach Santos Mutumbile. They had advanced from Group B after finishing second with four points, behind Ghana (5), and ahead of Zimbabwe (3) and Libya (2).
The Congolese claimed their second title in 2016, dominating Mali 3-0 in the final played at Amahoro International Stadium in Rwanda.
Meschak Elia starred with a brace in the 29th and 61st minutes, while Jonathan Bolingi sealed the win in the 73rd.
That golden generation was coached by Florent Ibenge, who is set to lead Azam FC in the upcoming 2025/26 season. Elia, now playing for BSC Young Boys in Switzerland, was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament.
Elia also shared the Golden Boot with Ahmed Akaichi (Tunisia) and Chisom Chikatara (Nigeria)—each scoring four goals. Ley Matampi, formerly of Tanzania’s Coastal Union, was named Best Goalkeeper of the tournament.
