HARAMBEE STARS CAPTAIN ABUD OMAR VOWS TEAM WILL BOUNCE BACK AFTER CHAN EXIT

Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar Khamis has reassured Kenyans that the national team will bounce back stronger after their heartbreaking exit from the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN). Kenya was eliminated in the quarter-finals on Friday night following a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time and a 4-3 loss to Madagascar in the penalty shootout at Kasarani Stadium. The result brought an end to a promising campaign in which the Stars remained unbeaten in the group stage.

In a message posted on his official Facebook page on Saturday, Omar expressed deep regret over the result but thanked Kenyans for their unwavering support, calling the fans the team’s biggest source of strength. “Dear Kenyans, yesterday’s loss weighs heavily on us. We know we let you down, and on behalf of the team, I sincerely apologise,” he wrote. “To all our fans, thank you for your incredible support and unity—you have been our greatest strength. Though we fell short, we promise to rise again and fight even harder for our country and for you.”

Omar’s words followed a spirited campaign that saw Kenya defeat DR Congo, Morocco, and Zambia, while drawing with Madagascar in the group stage. Head coach Benni McCarthy praised his team’s resilience but acknowledged that fine margins and missed chances proved costly in the knockout round.

McCarthy admitted Madagascar’s sharp ball movement caught his side off guard, but said he was proud of the players’ performances in what he described as the toughest group in the CHAN tournament. “Hopefully, we can build on this going forward so that the national team continues to grow stronger and avoids such painful exits in the future. I really don’t want to see another penalty shootout anytime soon,” he said.