As Kenya faced off with Angola in their Group ‘A’ fixture of the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship PAMOJA 2024 (CHAN) at the Kasarani Stadium on Thursday night, the real magic unfolded beyond the pitch – in the stands.
With the “Harambee Stars” down to 10 men after Marvin Nabwire was red-carded, the “12th man” – Kenya’s vocal home fans – made up for the numbers with their vociferous support for their national team, a factor head coach Benni McCarthy sincerely appreciated.
Photojournalist Eunice Muthui captured the unmatched energy, color, and spirit of the fans who turned up in full force to rally behind their teams.
From painted faces to powerful chants, relive the moments that made the atmosphere electric.
McCarthy lauded the Kenyan fans for keeping the Stars in the game when the team was a goal down and had numerical disadvantage after Nabwire’s sending off.
“The fans did a wonderful job of keeping the team’s morale up when we were down… they cheered the team on even when we had few chances,” McCarthy reacted.
CHAN debutants Harambee Stars, with young and inexperienced players in this tournament being played across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Zanzibar, continued to impress, taking long to settle in the game but soldiering on for a vital point.
“We keep repeating the mistakes we made in the first game. Players were nervous and panicky,” McCarthy, a former South Africa international observed.
“At this stage and level players don’t have a choice but learn to settle in the game fast. The players are talented and can play good football.”
Angola enjoyed a huge chunk of the ball possession owing to the numerical advantage they enjoyed in the game.
“That was the toughest match I’ve ever faced as a coach. To be honest, I’m exhausted… I can’t wait to go and rest. When you go a man less and a goal down just after 15 minutes, you have to think about how to manage the whole match.”
“I’m proud of the boys they played to instructions and managed to get a point under the circumstances,” added McCarthy
Harambee Stars now top Group ‘A’ after two matches with one win and a draw for four points.
Morocco lies second with three points and the two teams meet on Sunday at Kasarani as Zambia face DR Congo in the second fixture of the day at the Nyayo National Stadium.
In Thursday’s early kick-off at Nyayo, DR Congo reignited their campaign with a commanding 2-0 victory over Zambia in their second Group ‘A’ match at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
Goals from Ibrahim Matobo and substitute Horso Mwaku helped the Leopards bounce back from their opening day defeat to co-hosts Kenya and keep alive their hopes of reaching the knockout stages.
The win also marked the end of a five-match winless run for DR Congo at CHAN, while inflicting Zambia’s first-ever group stage defeat in the competition’s history — a remarkable statistic that stretched across 12 matches prior to kickoff. (Reporting by Tonny Sanya and Cafonline)
Fan Gallery | By: Eunice Muthui
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