As the Eighth Edition of CHAN 24 tournament enters day 10, Kenyans remain optimistic their national team, Harambee Stars, will reach the final of the tournament.

Harambee Stars will look to keep up their positive start to the home 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) when they square up against tournament favourites Morocco in a key Group A fixture at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, from 15:00 East African Time (15:00 GMT).

The Kenyan team in group ‘A’ begun the championship on a high, beating Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) 1-0 before holding  fancied Angola to a 1-1 draw despite playing less one player after Marvin Nabwire got a red card. Austin Odhiambo was declared the man of the match.

Having beaten DRC and drawn with Angola, Kenya leads Group A log with four points. The team is scheduled to meet the Atlas Lions of Morocco on Sunday (today) in a do-or-die match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. A win or draw will see Kenya qualify the quarterfinals round.

Midfielder Austin Odhiambo converted a penalty in the 12th minute to equalise for Kenya against Angola. Kenya now leads group “A” with four points followed by Morocco with three and Angola one point. Zambia is placed last with no point, having lost two games.

Harambee Stars and Coach Benni McCarthy have had overwhelming support from fans led by President William Ruto, who not only appeared in the field to cheer alongside other enthusiasts, but also promised huge monetary rewards to players.

Stars, although making a debut in the competition this year, have emerged as one of the favourites to qualify for the next round.

Kenya automatically qualified for CHAN 2024 as one of the three host nations.

The Sunday afternoon match features drama in the 2024 African Nations Championship with a Group ‘A’ match underpinned in history, tension and high stakes.

Kenya national team Harambee Stars host Morocco’s Atlas Lions at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where they both chase leadership and an easier path to the quarter-finals.

The game is not just about points, but also a coming together of two sides with different tournament records, tactical dominance and mental attitude, all guided by football history over decades.

Apart from this current tournament, the match also carries the personal history of the two coaches who shared a dressing room in Europe and first encountered each other on opposite sides of a continental youth final some two decades ago. The surroundings are as gleaming as the football that will be generated.

For Kenya, the chance to beat the reigning CHAN champions at home is a special opportunity to make history. For Morocco, it is about extending its iron grip on the tournament.

CHAN 2024 was officially flagged-off at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Dar-es Salaam on August 2 and the curtains will come down at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 30th.

The championship is being co-hosted by East African countries – Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. So far has made it to the quarters following its 2-1 victory against Madagascar on Saturday.

• A Tell Media report