Harambee Stars are in line for a massive payday if they pull off a win in their final Group A fixture against Zambia at the African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).
President William Ruto has pledged to hand each player Ksh2.5 million should they beat the Chipolopolo, upping the stakes after their spirited 1-0 victory over Morocco at Kasarani on Sunday.
Speaking at the Pullman Hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi, on Monday, August 11, Ruto praised the team for their resilience and unity, saying they had “brought the country together” with their performances.
“I had promised Ksh1 million for every group match, but for this one against Zambia, I’m putting Ksh2.5 million on the table,” the president told the squad. “If you reach the quarter-finals and win, you’ll also get Ksh1 million each and an affordable housing unit.”The promise of housing was especially welcomed by the players, who had earlier raised the issue with the head of state.
Goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo, speaking on behalf of the team after their earlier win over the Democratic Republic of Congo, had urged Ruto to “remember them” in the government’s affordable housing programme. President Ruto assured them he would make arrangements to facilitate their inclusion.
They beat DRC 1-0 in their opener, then drew against Angola and stunned highest-ranked Morocco with Ryan Wesley Ogam’s lone strike all the while playing most of the game with 10 players.
The stars are temporarily in first position at the top of Group A on seven points from three matches, effectively guaranteeing a quarter-final place, at least on paper. Angola and Morocco may catch them, but only if other results favour them.
From the first three matches alone, each Harambee Stars player has already pocketed Ksh2.5 million under the president’s earlier incentive plan.
There’s also a possibility of a mouth-watering East African derby in the last eight, with Tanzania’s Taifa Stars cruising through Group B after three wins in three games.
