Nairobi, Kenya – Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, saw their historic run in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) come to a dramatic end in the quarter-finals. In a tense match at Kasarani Stadium on August 22, the Kenyan side was eliminated by Madagascar in a penalty shootout after a 0–0 draw in regulation time. Despite an impressive tournament debut on home soil, the Stars fell just short of securing a semi-final spot.

The defeat also marked the exit of East African co-hosts from the tournament. Uganda’s Cranes, who co-hosted CHAN 2024 with Kenya, were knocked out in their quarter-final, losing 1–0 to defending champions Senegal in Kampala. With both Kenya and Uganda out, no East African team will feature in the final four, an outcome that disappointed local fans given the region’s enthusiasm as joint hosts.

Kenya’s campaign in CHAN – a continental tournament reserved for players in domestic leagues – had been a bright spot, reigniting national pride in football. Reaching the quarter-finals was the country’s best performance in the competition’s history. President William Ruto commended the team for their fighting spirit and even promised the players an additional “thank you” reward for their achievement. “You made Kenya proud. We will support you to come back stronger,” Ruto said in a message to the squad.

Sports analysts noted that the experience gained by Harambee Stars in CHAN 2024 will be valuable as Kenya and Uganda prepare to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The CHAN tournament served as a test run for East Africa’s hosting capabilities. Officials have praised the successful organization of matches in Nairobi and Kampala, even if the on-pitch results fell short of fans’ hopes for a trophy. Attention now turns to the upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the AFCON 2027 planning, with the Harambee Stars determined to build on the momentum from their CHAN journey.