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Kenya confirmed their dominance in Group A of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Zambia at a packed Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Sunday.

Ryan Ogam’s decisive strike midway through the second half ensured the Harambee Stars finished unbeaten at the summit of the group, while Zambia exited the competition without a single point.

With Morocco beating DR Congo 3-1 in the simultaneous fixture, both Kenya and Morocco progressed to the quarter-finals, leaving the Leopards stranded in third place.

Kenya will stay in Nairobi to play Madagascar in the quarter-final on Friday while Morocco travel to face Tanzania in the other last eight match.

Ogam delivers when it matters

The match was finely balanced until the 75th minute, when substitute Boniface Muchiri found space on the right and delivered a clever ball into the area.

Ogam controlled well before calmly slotting past Charles Kalumba in the Zambian goal to send the 27,000-strong Nairobi crowd into raptures.

The goal was a reward for Kenya’s persistence after dominating possession and creating several openings that were either blocked or denied by Kalumba, who had an outstanding evening despite his side’s defeat.

 

Kenya’s authority under McCarthy

For Benni McCarthy’s side, the result was about more than qualification. Already assured of a quarter-final place, Kenya entered the tie determined to underline their credentials as serious title contenders.

“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,” McCarthy said before kick-off.

Kenya had already beaten Morocco and DR Congo earlier in the group, results that established them as the surprise package of the tournament.

Against Zambia, they showcased tactical maturity and resilience to secure a third victory in four matches, finishing with 10 points and just one goal conceded in the group stage.

Zambia’s struggles continue

For Zambia, the campaign ended in disappointment. The Chipolopolo, once a feared force in African football, bowed out after four straight defeats. Yet coach Avram Grant insisted there were positives to take from the experience.

“Our aim is to win,” Grant had said on the eve of the game. “Yes, this is our last game, unfortunately. But this tournament was very important for me and for all the staff. It’s a new team, and we wanted to see who is available for the national team.”

Despite showing flashes of quality, Zambia were unable to convert chances, with Kampamba himself and Prince Mumba both going close. Kenyan goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo stood firm, making key saves at crucial moments.

Fans push Stars over the line

Kenya’s players were quick to salute the support that carried them to victory. Defender Daniel Sakari stressed the importance of the fans’ backing ahead of the game.

That support was evident in the closing stages, as Zambia pressed for an equaliser.

Shikhalo saved brilliantly from Kampamba late on, before Muchiri almost doubled the lead at the other end with a long-range strike that was tipped over.

Group A outcome

With Kenya’s win and Morocco edging DR Congo, the Harambee Stars topped Group A with 10 points, Morocco followed closely with nine, while DR Congo’s six were not enough to progress.

Angola finished fourth on four points, and Zambia exited bottom with none.

Kenya will now remain in Nairobi for their quarter-final to face Madagascar, giving them both momentum and home advantage. CAF Online

100m Commonwealth Champion Ferdinand Omanyala has expressed optimism despite being stunned at the sixth Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour gold series at the Ulinzi Sports Complex on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

Africa’s fastest man finished third after clocking 10.07 seconds, improving on his fifth finish in 2024’s edition at Nyayo Stadium.  Australian Lachlan Kennedy emerged victorious with a personal best of 9.98, ahead of South African teenager Bayanda Walaza, who won silver in 10.03 seconds.

The 21-year-old Kennedy got off the blocks superbly at the sixth stop of the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold series and powered through a strong headwind at the Ulinzi Sports Complex to claim victory in 9.98 seconds.

Kennedy became only the second Australian man ever to break 10 seconds in the short sprint, joining Patrick Johnson, who did so back in 2003. 

Express optimism

This was the second time running Omanyala failed to win the race in front of the home supporters who turned up in large numbers to cheer him on.

Despite the bad day in the office, Omanyala did not allow the results to drag him down. In his post-race interview, Omanyala exuded confidence, informing his fans that he would be keen to correct the mistakes.

Ferdinand Omanyala in Paris Olympic action. PHOTO/@OlympicsKe/X
Ferdinand Omanyala in Paris Olympic action. PHOTO/@OlympicsKe/X

Omanyala, who was the favourite to win the 100m, indicated that he would be keen to execute the lessons learned during his next race.

“Not a good race as we wanted, but of course, we are correcting mistakes as we move on. Of course, we expected faster, but it’s already gone. Now we are going into the next phase, looking to execute things that we have not done,” Omanyala stated.

“I want to appreciate the fans for coming out and cheering me on. The atmosphere was electrifying. We have been working on the transition part for the last couple of days, and we are looking to put things together,” he added.

“I am looking forward to posting better times. My next race will be at the Rome Diamond League next week.”

Other results

Before Omanyala’s somewhat rather underwhelming showing, Kenya had plenty to smile about, with Lilian Odira claiming the women’s 800m title with a lung-bursting run.

The 26-year-old African championship silver medalist stopped the clock at 1:58.31, a huge personal best that is also a Tokyo 2025 World Championship qualifying standard.

Mary Moraa’s cousin also raised the Kenyan flag higher after finishing third with her personal best of 1:58.96.

In the 400m women, Mary Oketch broke the Kenya national record in a Tokyo 2025 World Championship standard time of 50.14 seconds, lowering the national record of 50.38 seconds set by Mary Moraa at the same event in 2023.

Mercy Chebet won bronze in the race behind Ugandan Leni Shida.By Lutta Njomo, People Daily

By IEA SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

The London marathon 2024 has just concluded and Kenyans elite runners once again gave Kenyans a reason to celebrate. Alexander Mutiso Munyao sustained his speed against a great opponent Kenenisa Bekele to win the men's race in 2.04:01. 

 

Olympic Champion Peres Jepchirchir won the women's only world-record in 2.16:16. World recorder holder Tigst Assefa, Megertu Alemu of Ethiopia and Kenya's Joyciline Jepkosgei beat their previous record of 1.17:01 which was set by Kenya's Mary Keitany in 2017. 

Other winners include:

Wheelchair women: Catherine Debrunner (Switzerland) 1:38:54

Wheelchair men: Marcel Hug (Switzerland) 1:28:35

London marathon race involves runners running for 26.2 miles which is 42'2 km distance. It involves 50,000 people whom away from the elite runners are running to raise funds fir charity. 

 

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