Morocco Atlas Lions' Bouchaib Arrasi and Youssef Mehri vie for the ball from Harambee Stars Ryan Ogam during their CHAN 2024 Group stage match at Moi Stadium Kasarani on Sunday, August 10, 2025. / CHARLENE MALWA


Kenya’s CHAN 2025 journey has already delivered one key milestone  - a place in the quarterfinals with a game to spare.

The Harambee Stars lead Group A with seven points from three matches, having beaten DR Congo and Morocco by identical 1-0 scorelines and drawn 1-1 with Angola.

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That unbeaten run leaves them three points clear of the Palancas Negras, who sit second on four points, while DR Congo and Morocco each have three points from two matches.

Zambia, on zero points having lost their two opening games, are out of contention.

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The final phase of the group will be played over two matchdays.

On Thursday, August 14, Morocco meet Zambia and Angola face DR Congo.

The group closes on Sunday, August 17, with DR Congo against Morocco and Kenya’s clash with Zambia at the Kasarani stadium.

For Kenya, the simplest route to topping the group is victory over Zambia, which would take them to 10 points and make them unreachable.

A draw would almost certainly be enough, with only a big Angola win and a heavy Kenya loss capable of overturning the current goal difference gap.

The numbers make the scenario clear: Angola, on -1 goal difference, would need to beat DR Congo and hope Kenya’s +2 swings in their favour.

For instance, if Angola win 1-0, Kenya would need to lose 2-0 for the table to flip.

If Angola win 2-0, even a one-goal defeat for Kenya could see the Palancas Negras sneak top spot.

Zambia’s form offers Kenya cause for confidence. The Chipolopolo have lost both games, scored just once, and conceded four times.

Given the Stars’ defensive discipline — only one goal conceded in the group — a defeat of the magnitude Angola require appears unlikely.

Still, with a quarterfinal berth guaranteed, Kenya must balance rotation and rest with the need to maintain momentum.

A convincing win over Zambia would not only seal first place but also send a strong message to potential knockout opponents.

President William Ruto has sweetened the deal, pledging Sh2.5 million to each player if they beat Zambia — a bonus Sh1.5 million richer than their rewards for the opening victories, and an extra incentive to finish the group in style.

In a nutshell, Kenya are three points ahead of Angola and have a 3-goal cushion on goal difference.

For Angola to overtake Kenya, they must beat DR Congo in their final match and hope Kenya lose to Zambia by enough goals to overturn the +3 goal difference swing.

If Angola win 1-0, Kenya would need to lose 2-0 for Angola to pass them on goal difference.

If Angola win 2-0, Kenya would need to lose by a single goal for the swing to happen.