Harambee Stars start chase for Sh452.2 million prize money
Football
By
Rodgers Eshitemi
| Aug 03, 2025
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy with his final 25-man squad for the African Nations Championship (Chan) 2024. Kenya clash with DR Congo at Kasarani Stadium on Sunday, August 3, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]
There will be a lot at stake as Harambee Stars take to the refurbished Kasarani Stadium in their opening Group A match of the delayed African Nations Championship (Chan) 2024 tournament against two-time champions DR Congo on Sunday (3pm).
Save for both teams seeking to make a winning start in the long-month tournament involving local-based players, a lot will be in line in the eagerly awaited sold-out encounter.
First, with an increased prize money of Sh1.3 billion ($10.4 million) for this year’s tournament, each team is leaving nothing to chance as they aim to leave Nairobi on August 30 with the coveted trophy and Sh452.2 million ($3.5 million).
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The runners-up will pocket Sh155 million ($1.2 million), while the third and fourth-placed teams will walk home with Sh90.4 million ($700,000) and Sh77.5 million ($600,000), respectively. As it stands, Harambee Stars are already assured of at least Sh25.8 million ($200,000) even if they don’t progress to the quarter-finals.
While Stars are making their debut in the competition by virtue of being the co-hosts, the Leopards are chasing a historic third title after winning the tournament in 2009 and 2016.
This will be the third meeting between Kenya and DR Congo since 2016, with an even record from the matches: one draw and one win each.
As the duo will be colliding at Kasarani, two-time champions Morocco will be clashing with Angola in another highly anticipated Group of Death encounter at Nyayo Stadium (6pm).
With a relatively new-look squad following a series of late call-ups occasioned by injuries to the likes of Mohammed Bajaber, Brian Musa, and Swaleh Pamba (sickness), Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will rely on the team’s spirit as he hopes to write history in front of their ever-demanding Kenyan fans.
Bafana Bafana legend is likely to start with newly signed Gor Mahia goalkeeper Bryne Omondi between the posts, shielded by captain Abud Omar (Police), Daniel Sakari (Police), Sylvester Owino, and Alphonce Omija (both Gor Mahia). Gor Mahia’s Alpha Onyango and Austine Odhiambo are in pole position to marshal the midfield alongside Police’s Marvin Nabwire, while experienced Masoud Juma, Boniface Muchiri, and Brian Michira are likely to hunt for goals.
“We are all happy and cheerful, and there’s no pressure. We are waiting for the game. We’ve prepared for a long time for this kind of tournament, and now it’s time for us to show the world what we are made of. I think we will have good performance against DR Congo,” said Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar.
On the other hand, DR Congo’s Otis N’Goma will bank on experienced players and emerging talents in his squad dominated by top Congolese clubs such as TP Mazembe, FC Lupopo, AS Maniema Union, and AC Rangers.
The star-studded squad will be led by versatile TP Mazembe talisman Oscar Kabwit, his clubmate Faveurdi Bongeli, FC Tanganyika’s Jean Benoit Tukumbane, and Ibrahim Matobo Mubalu (Les Aigles du Congo). N’Goma also has the youthful duo of Tonny Madudu Talasi (AF Anges Verts) and Jephté Kitambala (AS Maniema Union) at his disposal.