CHAN: Harambee Stars vice-captain Muchiri laughs off the underdog tag

 Harambee Stars assistant captain Boniface Muchiri has played down the underdog tag as Kenya intensifies preparations for their debut appearance at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Kenya is in Group ‘A’ with two-time champions DR Congo, North African giants Morocco, as well as Angola and Zambia, two of Africa’s most consistent CHAN competitors.

And the creative midfielder, currently plying his trade with Ulinzi Stars, believes the national team is focused and ready to make a mark on home soil, despite being grouped alongside continental heavyweights. “Nowadays there is no underdog when it comes to football. We just have to believe in ourselves,” Muchiri said. “We are demanding a lot from ourselves because we are playing for the country, so we have to give the best performance that we can, so we can write history and leave a legacy behind.”

Harambee Stars have pitched camp at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, where they are preparing for their opening match against DR Congo on August 3.

Muchiri says the atmosphere in camp is positive and the players are giving their all in training. “We have had good training sessions sessions: The training is well-prepared with good intensity. The mood is good, and we are doing well with the training sessions, taking note of the coach’s instructions.”

Playing on home soil adds a layer of motivation, and Muchiri is calling on fans to turn up in large numbers and replicate the support they showed in their narrow loss to Gabon earlier in March.

“I hope they can come and fill up the Kasarani Stadium like they did against Gabon at Nyayo. We need their support, and it’s a great feeling to have them cheering us on,” he said.

Ahead of the tournament, Kenya will fine-tune their preparations in a four-nation warm-up tournament in Tanzania, where they will face hosts Tanzania, co-hosts Uganda, and regional rivals South Sudan.