Harambee Stars captain Abud Omar has broken his silence following Kenya’s painful elimination from the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), penning an emotional message to fans and making a big promise about the future.
Kenya’s journey at CHAN 2024 came to a heartbreaking end at the quarter-final stage after a 4-3 penalty shootout defeat to Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium. The match had ended 1-1 after extra-time, forcing the dreaded spot kicks that denied the home side a place in the semi-finals.
Despite giving his all and putting in a solid performance throughout the contest, Omar could not hide his disappointment at the outcome. The Kenya Police defender expressed deep regret over the result, acknowledging the pain shared by fans across the nation.
In his message, Omar extended a sincere apology to Kenyans, stating that the players felt the weight of expectation and understood the frustration of falling short on home soil. “Dear Kenyans, yesterday’s loss weighs heavily on us. We know we have let Kenyans down and on behalf of the team, I sincerely apologize,” he wrote.
The skipper also paid tribute to the unwavering support shown by fans throughout the campaign. Harambee Stars had impressed many after emerging from a tough group that included Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia—widely regarded as the tournament’s “Group of Death.” According to Omar, the passion and energy from the stands inspired the team to give everything on the pitch.
“To all our fans, thank you for your massive support and unity you have been our greatest strength. Though we fell short today, we promise to rise again and fight harder for our country and for you,” he added, highlighting his optimism for the future.
Harambee Stars will now quickly shift focus to upcoming assignments. The team returns to action in September with back-to-back 2026 World Cup qualifiers against The Gambia and Seychelles, both to be played on home soil. Although Kenya is already out of contention for a World Cup slot, positive results in these matches will be vital for building confidence and improving FIFA rankings.
For Omar and his teammates, the CHAN disappointment is a bitter pill to swallow, but the captain’s rallying call reflects the team’s determination to bounce back stronger.
