CHAN 2024: How Much Harambee Stars Could Earn if They Win Tournament
- Harambee Stars have done incredibly well at CHAN 2024 and are on the brink of reaching the quarter-final
- Benni McCarthy's team has won two and drawn one of their three games at the tournament and needs a point to book a spot in the last eight
- Harambee Stars team is looking at hundreds of millions in prize money if they lift the trophy on August 30
Harambee Stars is on the verge of reaching the quarter-finals of the 2024 Africa Nations Championship and could pocket hundreds of millions of shillings if they win the tournament.
Source: Twitter
The national team is playing in its first-ever CHAN tournament after failing to qualify for the past seven editions.
The team will not take part in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco but will participate in the 2027 edition as hosts.
How has Harambee Stars performed at CHAN 2024?
Kenya has played three matches at CHAN 2024 so far and will face Zambia next Sunday in their final Group A game.
In their opening match, they defeated DR Congo 1-0, thanks to Austin Odhiambo's goal in front of a packed Kasarani Stadium.
In their second game on August 7, they drew 1-1 against Angola despite playing the majority of the match with 10 men after Marvin Nabwire was sent off early in the game.
They nearly conceded a late goal, but VAR saved them. Goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, partly responsible for the red card, played a starring role.
On Sunday, August 10, Harambee Stars produced arguably their best performance to beat favourites Morocco.
Chrispine Erambo was shown a straight red card, forcing Kenya to play the entire second half with 10 men.
Source: Twitter
They sit top of Group A and need a point to reach the quarter-final. They face Zambia on Sunday, August 17..
“I played under a certain manager — José Mourinho — the master of such game management,” McCarthy said after the game. “To play with 10 players is hell, but we used to do it as if it was routine. I learned the trade from him: where to tighten, who to sacrifice.”
Harambee Stars' potential earnings if they win CHAN 2024?
President William Ruto promised Harambee Stars KSh 1 million for every win and KSh 500,000 for every draw in the group stage.
He also pledged KSh 60 million for reaching the quarter-finals, KSh 70 million for qualifying for the last-four and KSh 600 million for winning the tournament.
After their win over Morocco, Ruto promised KSh 2.5 million for every player if they defeat Zambia.
CAF will reward the CHAN 2024 champions $3.5 million (KSh 452 million), while runners-up will receive $1.2 million (KSh 194 million).
The third and fourth-place teams will get $700,000 (KSh 9.5 million) and $600,000 (KSh 7.7 million), respectively.
Can Harambee Stars win CHAN 2024?
Harambee Stars have never won a major trophy in their history and are not seen as favourites to win CHAN 2024.
Morocco, a team Kenya defeated comfortably on Sunday, are considered favourites. Tanzania and Algeria have also performed impressively so far at the tournament.
Taifa Stars have won all three of their matches so far, while Uganda have bounced back with two straight wins after losing their opening game.
Therefore, Kenya will need to defeat top teams to win the title on home soil. The financial incentive could also motivate them to succeed.
Bahati promises to pay Harambee Stars KSh 1 million
At the same time, musician Bahati has revealed when he will pay Harambee Stars players the promised KSh 1 million if they beat Morocco.
The Mama hitmaker recorded himself talking to FKF Deputy President McDoonald Mariga, who told him he should bring the cash during a training session.
Possible Harambee Stars quarter-final opponents
In a related story, we reported on Harambee Stars' possible quarter-final opponents.
If Kenya finish top of Group A, they will face Group B runners-up in Nairobi, so a derby against Tanzania is unlikely.
Therefore, a clash against Mauritania and Burkina Faso could be on the cards for Benni McCarthy's team.
Martin Moses, head of sports desk, contributed to this article by adding details about Bahati's promise.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
