The Leopards, led by head coach Otis N’Goma, became the second team to arrive in Kenya for Group A matches, which will be played at Kasarani and Nyayo Stadium, starting on Sunday, August 3rd.
Having managed seven appearances in CHAN (2009, 2011, 2014, 2016, 2020, 2022, 2024), the Leopards will be keen to make a flying start when they take on Kenya’s Harambee Stars in the opening game at Kasarani Stadium.
“We feel excited for the warm welcome that we have received at the airport in Nairobi,” N’Goma told Flashscore after the team’s touchdown at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
“We have had a good time in Tanzania, preparing for this great tournament. Our players are in good condition and ready for the task ahead.”
He added: “We know it will not be an easy opener against Kenya, they have quality players from what I have gathered, they have a renowned coach in Benni McCarthy, he is a coach, who understands what it means to win trophies, and he won trophies as a player, so we won’t take the game lightly.
“Opening games are always tricky in any competition, it is a game that helps set the tone for the next fixture, so a positive result is always good, and looking at my players and the kind of training we have undergone in Tanzania, I have a strong belief that we have what it takes to start off with a win and set our sight on qualifying from the group.”
The Leopards demonstrated their resilience during qualification. After being held to a 1-1 draw by Chad in the first leg, they turned the tables with a convincing 3-1 home victory to secure their spot in the tournament.
McCarthy makes changes to final Kenya squad
While DR Congo is already looking forward to the opener, Kenya coach Benni McCarthy once again made changes to his squad following the departure from camp of Mohammed Bajaber, Swaleh Pamba, and Brian Musa, who will now miss the tournament owing to various reasons.
While Bajaber is already in Tanzania to seal a deal with giants Simba SC, Pamba and Musa have been ruled out owing to injuries. Shabana midfielder Brian Michira, Tusker’s Midfielder Chrispin Erambo, and Sofapaka’s forward Edward Omondi have now been called in to replace the trio.
Explaining the latest changes, McCarthy said that while Bajaber was set to sign for Simba SC of Tanzania, as earlier exclusively reported by Flashscore, Musa and Pamba had to be left out owing to injury concerns.
“Brian Musa pulled his hamstring while in Tanzania, and so when we got back his scan, it wasn’t looking like it was healthy, and we had to take precautionary measures just in case it was a grade two or grade three tear, so we had to replace the player,” McCarthy told Flashscore.
“There was a slight problem with the heart of one of the players, Pamba Swaleh, so I think, for cautious measures, we had to drop the player.”
On the issue surrounding the absence of Bajaber, McCarthy said: “He has been nursing an injury, but now we thought hopefully we will be able to use him in the group stages, and he was one of the players who was definitely going to start.
"But then the news came that he had an opportunity to sign for a top club in Africa, Simba, so instead of keeping the player here, around us, we allowed him to go and get necessary treatment at his new club and get to settle in quickly.”
Kenya's CHAN 2024 final squad:
Goalkeepers: Faruk Shikhalo, Byrne Omondi, Sebastian Wekesa.
Defenders: Siraj Mohammed, Manzur Suleiman, Abud Omar, Alphonce Omija, Sylvester Owino, Mike Kibwage, Daniel Sakari, Lewis Bandi, Kevin Okumu.
Midfielders: Chrispine Erambo, Brian Michira, Alpha Onyango, Austin Odhiambo, Ben Stanley, Marvin Nabwire.
Forwards: Edward Omondi, Boniface Muchiri, David Sakwa, Ryan Ogam, Masoud Juma, Austin Odongo, Felix Oluoch.
