CHAN 2024: How Harambee Stars Qualified for Quarters Without Kicking a Ball

Kenya's Harambee Stars clinched their quarter-finals ticket in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) without kicking a ball, courtesy of results elsewhere that came their way in beautiful harmony.

The turning point was at the Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Kasarani on Thursday night, where two-time CHAN champions Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) thrashed Angola 2-0 in a Group "A" encounter. Earlier in the day, Morocco beat Zambia 3-1 at Nyayo National Stadium.

Those two victories ensured that, with one game remaining to be played, Kenya can no longer be overtaken for a second-place group finish. Harambee Stars sit top of Group "A" on seven points from three matches having beaten both DR Congo and Morocco 1-0 and drawn with Angola. Morocco and DR Congo also have six points, Angola have four points and are eliminated, and Zambia are remain winless.

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As per CHAN rules, the top two teams in each group advance to quarter-finals. Even if they lose the final group game against Zambia on Sunday, their head-to-head edge over DR Congo and Morocco guarantees qualification.

Kenya is secure since they have already beaten both DR Congo and Morocco. In the unlikely event of any set of Sunday results producing a points tie, the head-to-head tiebreaker – that ranks teams based on how they have performed against each other – will have Harambee Stars as number one.

If Morocco beat DR Congo, Kenya would be second with seven points and DR Congo would be knocked out. If DR Congo beat Morocco, Kenya would be second too with Morocco knocked out. Even in a Morocco–DR Congo draw, all three teams would have seven points, but Kenya's unblemished record in those head-to-head games would put them top or second on goal difference.

Kenya face Zambia in a game now a mere formality for qualification but one that will decide last group positions. Players and the coach will most likely employ the game to practice tactics and pace players for the knockout stages.

In the meantime, Morocco and DR Congo will also face each other in what amounts to a winner-takes-all affair for the remaining quarter-final place from Group "A". Either could make it by way of a draw if the mini-head-to-head table ultimately sends them through.

In Kasarani on Thursday, the DR Congo win over Angola was confirmed by second-half strikes by Japhet Kitambala in the 58th minute and Katumbwe Mokonzi in the 70th. The victory eliminated Angola and secured the safe qualification of Kenya, much to Harambee Stars fans celebration long before their last group game.

The spotlight now focuses on the quarter-finals – and for Kenya, it is all about making their landmark group-stage success count when the knockout stage begins.