Ryan Ogam Delivers Victory for Kenya as Harambee Stars Avoid Tanzania in CHAN 2024 Quarter-Final

Harambee Stars will meet Madagascar in the quarter-final of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024) after securing a 1-0 victory over Zambia on Sunday.

Kenya got into the match knowing their place in the last eight was assured but were looking for a win to finish top of Group A and got just that when Tusker striker Ryan Ogam showed a poacher’s instinct to score what turned out to be the match winner 15 minutes from time.

Benni McCarthy’s men dominated the first half but could not find a way past a Zambian side that defended their goal well.

Marvin Nabwire was the first Kenyan player to test Zambia goalkeeper Charles Kalumba with a long-range shot but saw his effort easily saved by the custodian.

That was after just two minutes and six minutes later, Zambia should have been ahead when they nearly scored from a corner and it took the intervention of Michael Kibwage, who made a headed goal-line clearance, to save the home team the blushes.

A minute later, Harambee Stars goalkeeper Farouk Shikalo, making his first appearance in the tournament, was nearly caught out trying to play from the back but Kenya recovered the ball and launched a counter-attack.

Austin Odhiambo got into space on the left wing and brought in a good cross but Ogam’s tame shot could not trouble Kalumba.

Odhiambo then tested Kalumba with a ferocious shot from a freekick in the 14th minute, drawing a flying save from the Zambia goalkeeper.

A minute later, Kenya got their first real chance when a neat exchange of passes between Alpha Onyango, Odhiambo and Ogam ended up with Ben Stanley Omondi in space but the Gor Mahia star opted to take a second touch instead of shooting, only to be intercepted.

Stanley had been making good moves on Kenya’s left wing but with no end product. After 33 minutes, Ogam was almost gifted a chance after a Zambia defender miskicked the ball but the Tusker striker had not anticipated it.

On the stroke of halftime, Stanley had another chance but failed to utilise his opportunity.

Zambia got off the blocks first in the second half and Prince Mumba almost punished casual Kenya as his well-taken shot went just wide five minutes upon resumption.

Onyango then had space and time on the ball, getting forward before taking a shot that was well-saved by Kalumba.

McCarthy then made double substitutions, taking off Odhiambo for Juma Choka while Boniface Muchiri came on for David Sakwa.

The changes injected pace and urgency into Kenya’s game and Choka should have scored when he got a free header at the back post but headed directly at the goalkeeper.

Just past the hour mark, Harambee Stars should have scored following a goalmouth melee but missed before Muchiri brought in a shot from a rebound that hit the side netting.

The moment Kenyans were waiting finally arrived 15 minutes from time when Harambee Stars’ persistence paid off.

A good exchange of passes saw Boniface Muchiri find Ogam and the Tusker striker showed his class in the box as he slotted low past Kalumba to send Kasarani Stadium into ecstasy.

Zambia captain Kelvin Kampamba nearly equalised moments later when he drew a great fingertip save from Shikalo.

McCarthy’s move to bring in Manzur Okwaro and Felix Oluoch to proctet the lead paid off as Kenya held firm to win the match and finish top of their group with 10 points while Morocco, who beat DR Congo 3-1, finished second with nine.

Morocco will now take on Tanzania in the quarter-final in Dar es Salaam while Kenya face Madagascar in Nairobi on August 22.