CHAN 2024: Tanzania’s Winning Start Adds to Benni McCarthy and Harambee Stars’ Pressure

Harambee Stars have their work cut out as they take on DR Congo in their opening match of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) especially after co-hosts Tanzania started with a win.

The Taifa Stars stunned Burkina Faso 2-0 at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Saturday night, sending a statement of intent, while also leaving co-hosts Kenya and Uganda with the pressure of living up to expectations.

Tanzania had a dream start when Abdul Hamisi Suleiman broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime through a contested penalty and they completed the job in the second half when Mohamed Hussein headed in the second in the 71st minute.

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That has seen Taifa Stars race to the top of Group B after the first match and it is a strong message to Kenya to also start with a win to avoid being the laughing stock of the region.

Benni McCarthy and his team are already under pressure to deliver at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday but after Tanzania’s win, the need for a victory cannot be overemphasised given the banter witnessed between the two neighbouring sides when it comes to football.

Tanzania and Kenya have a longstanding football rivalry which sees either of them wish doom for the other and after Taifa Stars’ victory, Kenyans are hoping that Harambee Stars can impress to avoid being on the receiving end from their Tanzanian counterparts.

Both Kenya coach McCarthy and his DR Congo counterpart Otis Ngoma have expressed confidence of winning on Sunday afternoon, and going all the way, and it remains to be seen how they perform at Kasarani Stadium from 3pm.

“We will do our utmost best for everybody to be proud being a Kenyan because they are going to show every bit of spirit coming from these players tomorrow that you as a Kenyan can associate with because of the hard work they have put in up to now,” said McCarthy.

Ngoma said: “We came here to compete. Kenya is a big nation, they are at home but we do not feel pressure. At a high level, you do not feel pressure. We have experience and with two titles so we will approach the match with respect because we are looking for a third star.”

The match will also be watched by a sold-out crowd, adding to the pressure on McCarthy and his charges.