Wasswa backs Kenya and Uganda to defy odds and reach quarters of 2024 CHAN

Former Uganda international Hassan Wasswa, aged 36, has expressed his confidence that both Uganda and Kenya will overcome the challenges presented in their respective groups during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations (CHAN) tournament, which is set to take place in August 2025.

Kenya finds itself in Group A, facing formidable opponents such as two-time champions Morocco, DR Congo, Angola, and Zambia. Meanwhile, Uganda has been placed in Group C, where they will compete against Niger, Guinea, and two yet-to-be-determined qualifiers.

For Uganda, the potential opponents in the qualification rounds include South Africa and Egypt, who are vying for the remaining slots in the draw for the two qualifiers. Other teams participating in the qualification process are Algeria, Comoros, Gambia, Malawi, and Gabon.

Tanzania has been assigned to Group B, where they will compete against Madagascar, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, and the Central African Republic. The defending champions, Senegal, are in Group D, which consists of four teams, including Congo, Sudan, and Nigeria.

Wasswa, who participated in the draw alongside Mrisho Ngasa from Tanzania and Kenya’s McDonald Mariga, referred to Group A as the "group of death." However, he believes that with adequate preparation, the Harambee Stars can advance to the knockout stages.

“We must recognize that we are playing on home soil, and we will have the support of our fans, the government, and the entire East African community. I am confident that we will witness remarkable achievements in this CHAN tournament,” Wasswa stated in an interview with Flashscore.

“To my brothers in Kenya, I have faith in their abilities; they will emerge from that challenging group. While Group A is indeed daunting, it is essential not to overlook Uganda’s group, which also includes South Africa and Egypt. Should those two teams qualify, Uganda could find itself in a similarly difficult situation.”

Wasswa, who concluded his international football career in April 2021 after a 13-year tenure with the Uganda national team, stated: “In general, both Kenya and Uganda must elevate their performance for the tournament. If they exert considerable effort, I foresee that they will qualify from their respective groups. I am confident that any team has the potential to create an upset during the tournament.”

When inquired about the presence of any weak teams in the tournament, Wasswa, who played as a defensive midfielder, replied: “There are no weak teams in this tournament; however, all teams must show up and compete. They are aware of what is at stake and should strive for a commendable performance, as anything can happen.”

“Surprises can occur because one might perceive a team as weak, only for them to deliver an unexpected performance in the tournament. Ultimately, no team is weak, and no team is overwhelmingly strong; these are home-based players, and success hinges on their dedication and hard work.”

Kenya should target the prize money
Former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee emphasized that Harambee Stars should focus on winning the tournament due to the substantial prize money available.

Prior to the draw, the African governing body announced a 75% increase in prize money, with the champions set to receive $3.5 million, contributing to a total prize pool of $10.4 million—a 32% increase aimed at enhancing the tournament's attractiveness.

“I believe the players are aware of what is at stake; the increase in prize money should serve as a motivation for Kenya to pursue the prize,” Mulee remarked to reporters. “It is not an insurmountable challenge, especially since they will be competing at home, with the support of their fans. This is an opportunity for them to achieve success and bring pride to the nation.”

Regarding Kenya’s group, Mulee summarized: “When entering a draw, one anticipates a great deal; there are no easy groups. In fact, upon reviewing all the groups, they are all challenging, but Kenya’s group stands out as particularly difficult.”

Kenya has historically performed admirably in challenging groups, as evidenced by their journey to the finals during the 1987 All Africa Games held in Kenya.

This achievement serves as a testament to their capability to compete against formidable teams, having notably defeated Cameroon on their path to the final, where they ultimately faced Egypt.

Mulee remarked, "The pressure within our group is significant for both players and coaches. It is often in the face of tough opponents that the Harambee Stars truly excel. Observing the team's performance closely reveals a pattern: they tend to underperform when expectations are high."

He added, "The upcoming match against Morocco will undoubtedly be a formidable challenge. However, playing at home will provide the Harambee Stars with the support of local fans, which I believe will serve as a substantial source of motivation, especially given the pressure to deliver a strong performance."

In a related note, former Harambee Stars striker Allan Wanga urged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to initiate preparations for the team without delay.

Wanga stated, "This group is undoubtedly challenging, but it is crucial to prepare the players mentally. They are now aware of their opponents, which will allow them to strategize accordingly.

" He, who has played for various clubs in the Kenyan Premier League, including Sofapaka and Tusker, emphasized, "While the road ahead will be tough for Kenya, our primary focus must be on thorough preparation. With the tournament postponed to August, we have ample time to get ready.

The players need to build confidence as the host nation, given the high expectations from fans and the public. It is essential to commence preparations as soon as possible."

This year's CHAN is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first occasion that the tournament will be co-hosted by three nations: Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Originally scheduled for an earlier date, the competition has been postponed to August 2025 to ensure the availability of world-class infrastructure and facilities.