CHAN 2024: Zambia Captain Kelvin Kampamba Reveals Benni McCarthy's Surprise Interest

Zambia captain Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba has opened up about the details of the conversation he had with Benni McCarthy after their final group stage match in the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024).

Zambia lost 0-1 to Harambee Stars in a tightly contested match. They now exit the tournament, having finished fourth in Group A, with zero points.

Harambee Stars lead the group standings with 10 points, thanks to their opening match win against two-time CHAN champions DR Congo.

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They then drew 1-1 against Angola before winning 1-0 in their match against Morocco. Harambee Stars rounded up their group stage campaign with a 1-0 win over Zambia.

Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba revealed that Benni McCarthy was proud of his dominant display in the match, noting that he showcased a different kind of creativity.

Kampamba noted that the former Manchester United attacking coach expressed interest in having him play for Harambee Stars, adding that the coach insisted that his kind of creativity is what Kenya needs to thrive.

“The coach likes me a lot, he has been following me, he was telling me that, ‘I would love you to be in my team because the way you are playing, you caused us a lot of problems,” Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba revealed.

“We were lacking creativity, and it needs someone like you.’ We just talked, and after that, I wished Kenya and the coach all the best. I told him that the team is good and they just need encouragement to continue impressing in this tournament.”

Speaking about their tough campaign in the CHAN 2024 tournament, Kelvin Mubanga Kampamba pointed out that there were several underlying factors.

Zambia started their campaign with a 0-2 loss against DR Congo. They then lost 2-1 in their match against Angola.

Going up against Morocco, Zambia struggled to make a mark yet again, as the two-time CHAN champions secured a 3-1 victory. They vowed to bounce back against Harambee Stars, but the match was no different after they lost 1-0.

“As the captain, we didn’t start well against DR Congo, and as you know, in every tournament, you need to start on a positive note. We lost 2-0, and maybe it’s because the guys were new. We tried to push against Angola, but they equalised and won,” he added.

“When the game was in the 70th minute in today’s match, the guys were tired. We are coming from the off-season, and the guys have not started our league games. I wish the association had helped us play friendly matches, and maybe that’s what affected us.”

Now, Zambia will have to go back to the drawing board and address their shortcomings as they eye their next assignment.