Kenya begin 2024 COSAFA Cup assignment with Zambia clash

Kenya will get their 2024 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup assignment underway with an opening Group B match against Zambia on Thursday evening with the two sides set to lock horns at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

Despite not being a member of the COSAFA region, Kenya received an invite to take part in the tournament following Malawi’s withdrawal and will be out to gauge themselves amongst teams from Southern Africa.

The tournament will see the U23 side, popularly known as Emerging Stars, getting the opportunity to represent the country in the 12-team competition with three groups consisting of four teams each.

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The Emerging Stars, who will be under the guidance of Harambee Stars assistant coach Ken Odhiambo, are in Group B where they will also come up against Zimbabwe and Comoros.

Speaking ahead of the tournament opener, Odhiambo explained why they chose to send the Emerging Stars to participate in the competition.

"The qualifiers will start in September or thereabout. We felt it was good to test the U23 team and see if we can use them in the senior team.

We know what our senior players can do and this tournament will definitely give the U23 players a chance to show whether they are ready for Harambee Stars, " said the former Sofapaka coach.

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“This is a risk that we are taking but it is worth it. Actually, this is what we have been waiting for because Rome was not built in a day. We move from the foundation to the roof,” added Odhiambo.

Emerging Stars captain Ronney Onyango backed his charges in the competition even as he rallied the team to get the perfect start in South Africa.

We came to compete and we are ready to reach the climax of the tournament. We respect them (Zambia) but don't fear them. We are ready to face them, compete and get good results," the Gor Mahia ace said.

Out of the 12 teams, only four will get their tickets to the semifinals.

Only the group winners and the best second-placed side from across the three pools will advance to the last four.

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Kenya’s Travelling Squad

Goal Keepers

Byrne Omondi, Ibrahim Wanzala, Dolph Junior

Defenders

Alphonce Omija, Paul Ochuoga, Sylvester Owino, Geoffrey Onyango, Amos Wanjala

Midfielders

Stanley Wilson, Elly Owande, Chrispine Erambo, Aldrine Kibet, Austine Odhiambo, Patrick Otieno, John Ochieng, Kaycie Odhiambo, William Gitamu, Rooney Onyango.

Forwards

Benson Omalla, Jeremy Bissau, Alfred Tanui, Hassan Beja, Moses Shummah

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CHANGE IN FORMAT

Last year saw a departure from previous tournaments with 12 teams competing, split into three groups each containing four sides. It will be the same for 2024.

The group winners and best second-placed side from across the three pools will advance to the semifinals. The winner of Group B will take on the winner of Group C, with the top team in Group A to meet the best runner-up.

DECIDING GROUP PLACES

Should two or more teams finish on the same number of points in the pool phase, they will be separated by the result of their head-to-head meetings in the first instance.

If this does not provide a conclusion, the next criteria will be goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned and then greater number of goals scored in all the group matches between the teams concerned.

If there is still no clear winner, then goal-difference in all group matches and finally a Fair Play points system in which the number of yellow and red cards are evaluated will be used. Failing that there will be the drawing of lots.

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