President William Ruto has led the country in celebrating the Harambee Stars’ surprise march into the quarter-finals of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), declaring their achievement a symbol of Kenya’s resilience and ambition.
At the start of the tournament, few gave Kenya much hope of escaping what had been branded the “Group of Death.” Drawn alongside continental heavyweights Morocco, DR Congo, and Zambia, the Stars were expected to struggle.
Instead, they finished top of the group with 10 points, capped by Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Zambia at a raucous Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Ruto, who was among thousands of supporters at the stadium, said the team’s performance showed that Kenya can rise to great heights if it embraces “faith, courage, focus and hard work.”
“They have not only advanced, they have inspired a nation,” he said.
“They have filled our country with pride, joy, and unity. Now go forth and conquer the continent. Do not settle for less, just as we, as a nation, must never settle for anything less than glory.”
The president also committed to his earlier promise of millions in rewards, signing off with: “Nitacheza kama mimi. After all, dawa ya deni ni kulipa.”
Kenya will now face Madagascar in the quarter-finals at Kasarani on Friday, while Morocco, who beat DR Congo 3-1 in the other Group A decider, travel to Dar es Salaam to face hosts Tanzania.
Victory over Zambia earned each Harambee Stars player and staff member KSh2.5 million in government bonuses, raising their tournament tally to KSh5 million.
With the momentum of a nation behind them, Benni McCarthy’s side will aim to extend their fairytale run and prove that Kenya can mix it with Africa’s best.
