Kenya marked a dream start to their first-ever appearance at the CHAN 2024 tournament, defeating two-time champions DR Congo 1–0 in a thrilling Group A opener. The electric atmosphere at the fully packed Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani—home to 60,000 passionate fans—set the stage for an evening to remember.
The match’s defining moment came in the first half when Austin Odhiambo calmly slotted home the winning goal, giving Kenya the edge in what was a tightly contested encounter. The hosts, cheered on by a roaring home crowd, overcame early jitters to deliver a confident and composed performance on their CHAN debut. The tournament, which shines a spotlight on domestic-based talent, saw Kenya’s local stars rise to the occasion on one of the continent’s biggest stages.
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DR Congo thought they had drawn first blood early in the match when Jephté Kitambala found the back of the net just five minutes in. But their celebration was short-lived, as VAR ruled the goal offside—an early warning that spurred the Harambee Stars into action and shifted the momentum in Kenya’s favor.
This milestone victory makes Kenya only the third debutant nation to win their opening game in CHAN history. Meanwhile, DR Congo’s winless streak in the competition now extends to five matches, putting pressure on their remaining Group A fixtures. Kenya will look to build on this success as they face Angola on Thursday, while DR Congo aims to regroup ahead of their clash with Morocco.
