Harambee Stars players celebrate victory against Morocco. Photo: FKF Media

Harambee Stars finished top of CHAN 2024’s “group of death”, and are facing Madagascar in the quater finals of the ongoing tournament at Kasarani Stadium on Friday.

Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has explained how surviving the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) group of death has made his team stop worrying so much about opposition ahead of their quarter final clash against Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium.

McCarthy’s charges finished top of group A, a very tough pool that comprised DR Congo, Angola, Morocco and Zambia. They managed to get 10 points from a possible 12, with their only draw coming against Angola, while they beat all other sides under tough circumstances.

Now, they will be facing Madagascar in front of an 80 percent packed Kasarani Stadium, knowing that a win will get them closer to achieving their targets.

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Speaking to the media before their clash on Friday at 5.00 PM EAT, McCarthy explained how his charges have prepared for the test of Madagascar.

“We’ve done our homework on the opposition. We know their strengths and weaknesses,” McCarthy said.

“It has been a hard-fought group. There has almost been no rest for the team because all sides we faced were equally strong enough to win the tournament, so it has been tough. We surpassed that, but it is only going to get tougher.

“It depends on how well we prepare and how mentally ready my team will be. As long as we go to the field and give our 100 percent, and show our full potential, then something positive can come from this.”

McCarthy underlined how overcoming Africa’s heavyweights in the group stage has shifted the team’s mentality.

“After our group stage tests, there is no team we are really afraid of or we think our chances are slim. When you face DR Congo, Angola, Morocco and Zambia, it is a tough task and you may think your chances are slim to none, but we proved to ourselves and everyone else that we are perfectly capable of surpassing this.

“Whoever comes next will be a good challenge, but we try and focus on ourselves and what we have to do.”

Defender Daniel Sakari, who has been used in multiple roles during the tournament, echoed his coach’s sentiment and stressed the importance of adaptability.

“It is all about adapting to different situations as long as you know what is required in every situation,” Sakari said.

“Before every game, you have to know how your opponents play—how they attack, defend, and their weaknesses. That we have done, and now we are working on our strengths which we could use to exploit their weaknesses.”

Sakari also credited the fans for lifting the team: “The fans have played a big role en route to the quarter-finals. We appreciate that as players, but we are not focused on social media hype, only on the next game.”

The Stars, backed by an expected 80 percent crowd at Kasarani, will be looking to continue their historic run and secure a place in the semi-finals.