Harambee Stars' campaign at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) came to a heartbreaking end on Friday, August 22, following a 4-3 defeat via penalties to Madagascar in the quarter-finals.
Despite the exit, Kenyans exuded immense pride in the national team, which showed rare competitiveness and grit in a continental competition for the first time in ages.
Throughout the tournament, there were certain names in the Harambee Stars squad that consistently commanded media attention, the likes of Boniface Muchiri, Aboud Omar, Austine Odhiambo and the impressive Ryan Ogam were hailed throughout the competition for their contributions to Kenya topping an extremely competitive Group A.
However, there also exists a group of players who, despite not garnering as much media attention, were the difference between success and failure for Kenya throughout the Harambee Stars' run in the CHAN 2024.
Sylvester Owino:
The Gor Mahia centre-back was arguably the most important player in the Harambee Stars' defensive line throughout the tournament. Excluding the quarter final against Madagascar, Owino completed the full 90 minutes in every match, pointing to his importance in coach Benni McCarthy's side.
Owino showcased a combination of positional discipline, aerial strength and a strong command at the back, giving the Harambee Stars a solid foundation from the back.
Alpha Onyango:
Another criminally unsung Harambee Stars hero in CHAN 2024 is midfielder Alpha Onyango. While he was not on the scoresheet in the tournament, the Gor Mahia star was also a near-permanent figure in McCarthy's starting XI in the tournament.
He played every game and clocked an impressive 117 minutes in the extra-time clash against Madagascar.
In midfield, Onyango was able to dictate play, break up opposition attacks, especially during the game against Morocco, and was quite decent in possession, especially when the Stars at times struggled to retain the ball.
Notably, his ability to cover ground offered the likes of Ryan Ogam and Austine Odhiambo the freedom to explore more dangerous areas on the pitch, leading to goals.
Michael Kibwage
Kibwage was Owino's partner at centre back and another crucial yet underrated presence in the backline.
He featured in all matches and, like Onyango, brought a sense of calm at the back under pressure. Perhaps a moment that best characterised the defender's outstanding showing at the tournament was a goal-line clearance during the penultimate group game against Zambia.
The defender was at the right place at the right time to clear a goal-bound rebound following chaos in the box after a corner. That earned him a rating of 7.2 from various sports analysts.
Unfortunately, Kibwage's heroics were almost undone in the game against Madagascar, where he missed a crucial penalty in the shootout - something he claims was tough to take in.
“Football can be cruel. Some pains take a while to settle in,” he said on his Facebook page.
He added, “Very few gave us a chance, but you, our dear fans, believed in us and pushed us every step of the way. We are truly grateful for your support and truly sorry we didn’t keep the party going.”
Even so, his contribution over the course of 90 minutes in each match was one of maturity and reliability.
Faruk Shikalo
Shikhalo may not have registered as many minutes as his counterparts in the tournament, but his one performance against Zambia, which culminated in a clean sheet, ensured Kenya topped Group A, subsequently booking a ticket for Kenya in the quarter-final against Madagascar.
Away from the pitch, Shikhalo was also largely responsible for pushing President William Ruto to offer Affordable Housing units as an incentive to the Harambee Stars, should they have proceeded to the semis.
Shikhalo was also described by his teammates as the captain without the armband on and off the pitch, influencing his partners and keeping the group tight.
