Kenya vs Zambia: Benni McCarthy Demands Statement Win as Harambee Stars Chase Historic Legacy

Harambee Stars have enjoyed a great African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) campaign so far, and as they face Zambia in their final group stage match, Benni McCarthy wants nothing short of a win.

The match, scheduled for Sunday, August 17, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, will be very instrumental for Harambee Stars to cement their place at the top of the table, and that is exactly what Benni McCarthy wants.

Harambee Stars now lead the CHAN 2024 Group A standings with seven points, with Morocco and DR Congo coming in second with six points. Angola have four points, while Zambia have yet to pick up a point from their three matches played.

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Despite having already qualified for the quarterfinal, Benni McCarthy is hungry to end Harambee Stars’ group stage campaign at the top, and he believes everything is possible.

Speaking during the pre-match press conference, Benni McCarthy revealed that no one believed in the potential Harambee Stars had.

He pointed out that, according to the masses, Harambee Stars would end their group stage campaign with zero points. He expressed excitement that the boys had given their all and proven every doubter wrong.

Benni McCarthy added that going into the final group stage match against Zambia, Harambee Stars should cement their legacy with a solid win.

“When everybody said Group of Death, we would probably have had zero points after four games, but we found ourselves sitting on top of the mountain, and now we really want to enjoy that view on top of that mountain,” Benni McCarthy said.

“Tomorrow is a game where we must win…we are not focusing on the qualification because we have already been qualified, and it’s just all about finishing off a really good game plan that we have had so far.”

The former Manchester United attacking coach added that Harambee Stars have already proven to be one of the best, beating the two most successful teams in the history of CHAN.

Benni McCarthy added that as they started their campaign, he was sure Morocco, Angola and DR Congo were favourites to make a mark in the tournament, probably go all the way to the final, but now, Harambee Stars have also emerged as challengers.

He lauded the players for putting in the work and believing in the training, noting that were it not for them, Harambee Stars would not have gone that far.

“I will say to the players, in order to be the best, you have to be the best, and I think we’ve proven that throughout the group stages against DRC, Angola and Morocco,” Benni McCarthy said.

“They are probably the three most favourite teams that could have gone and won this CHAN. I give credit to the players, but now, we want to make a statement by winning tomorrow so that no one can say it was by chance or by luck. It was by sheer hard work and patience from the team and everyone else.”

With Harambee Stars already through to the quarterfinals, Benni McCarthy has made it clear that the clash against Zambia is about more than just points, it is about silencing every doubt and stamping Kenya’s authority as true contenders for the CHAN 2024 crown.