By Satish Sekar © Satish Sekar (August 21^st 2025)

Hosts Eliminated

Co-hosts Kenya and Tanzania were eliminated from the CHAN at the quart-final stage today. Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars reached the end of their journey at the Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi at the hands of Madagascar’s Barrea. Romuald Felix Rakotondrabe saw his charges beat Kenya 4-3 on penalties after drawing 1-1 after extra time.

Shortly after the Harambee Stars were eliminated Tariq Sektioui’s Atlas Lions sent the Taifa Stars packing 1-0 in Dar es Salaam’s Benjamin Mkapa Stadium.

End of the Road?

McCarthy had begun the revival of Kenyan football -Kenya was the first winner of the Gossage Cup in May 1926, which was the first international football tournament in African history – although McCarthy prefers to make his own history.

Alphonse Omija gave Kenya the lead after 48 minutes with a firm header from Boniface Muchira’s cross. Shortly afterwards Ryan Ogam appeared to have doubled the Harambee Stars’ lead, but the goal was disallowed for a foul in the build-up after a check by VAR. It proved to be a turning point. Lewis Bandi was penalised for handball and punished by Fenohasina Gilles Razafimaro’s penalty after 69 minutes, which levelled the scores. Despite 30 minutes extra time the teams could not be separated.

Siraj Mohammed, Daniel Sakari, and Sylvester Owino scored for Kenya, but veteran goalkeeper, Michel Ramandimbisoa, known as Toldo after Italian former keeper, Francesco Toldo, saved Mike Kibwage’s spot kick. The pressure got to Omija, who missed from the spot. Toky Rakotondraibe scored his penalty to send the Barrea through to the semi-finals at Kenya’s expense. An upset even greater than the 2019 AFCON run was a distinct possibility.

With one co-host gone, another had the opportunity to go at least one better. However, they found Oussama Lamlioui maintaining his scoring touch. His winner from close range after 65 minutes makes him a serious threat for this competition’s Golden Boot with three and two more matches to add to them – Yousef Belammari penetrated the area and squared it for Lamlioui to score.

Earlier, El Mehdi Al Harrar had proved a formidable last barrier for the Atlas Lions, denying both Clement Mzize and Feisal Salum. Lamlioui also went close, testing the Taifa Stars’ keeper, Yakoub Suleiman. Mzize had another chance as Tanzania chased an equaliser, a header from Mohamed Hussein’s cross, but he couldn’t hit the target. This was Morocco’s 7^th consecutive win in the knockout stages of the CHAN.