38 years on, CHAN brings Kenya back to the continental football stage - Legend Ogolla
When John Bobby Ogolla stepped out onto the pitch at the 1987 All Africa Games in Nairobi, he led a Kenyan team that made history—reaching the final of a major continental football tournament on home soil.
Thirty-eight years later, the former Harambee Stars captain is witnessing another landmark moment as Kenya prepares to co-host the TotalEnergies CAF African Nations Championship (CHAN) PAMOJA 2024 alongside Tanzania and Uganda.
Ogolla, now a revered football legend and former national team coach, says hosting CHAN is not only a sporting milestone but also a symbol of Kenya’s renewed presence on the African football map.
“This is really massive for the country and it reminds me so much of 1987,” Ogolla told CAFOnline.com.
"But this is even bigger because there are more countries competing in football and it just shows the respect that CAF and the continent have placed on East Africa.”
Ogolla played a central role the last time Kenya staged a major continental event. In 1987, under his captaincy, the Harambee Stars reached the final of the All Africa Games football tournament, narrowly losing to Egypt.
That golden generation would go on to qualify for the 1988 Africa Cup of Nations—one of the country's proudest footballing achievements.
Now, with Kenya hosting the CHAN finals for the very first time, Ogolla is urging the current crop of players to summon the same grit and belief that powered the class of '87.
“This is their opportunity to replicate what we did close to four decades ago,” he said.
“I believe the team currently in place is quite able to do this. But the biggest secret is in how you start. If they start on a positive note, it will give them some momentum into the rest of the tournament. I remember for us, we started off with a big win against Tunisia and that just gave us huge confidence.”
The retired defender and coach, who also served at Kenyan giants Gor Mahia, emphasised the unique opportunity that comes with playing in front of home fans.
“Playing at home comes with huge responsibility and the team has to take it in their stride and represent the country with pride,” Ogolla noted.
He also urged fans to embrace the moment and attend matches in large numbers.
“For the fans this is a huge chance to see the stars of tomorrow,” he said.
“We have seen several players who have emerged from this tournament go on and become world stars. It would be a privilege for us to see them as they start. Also, we need to come out and support our own Harambee Stars.”
Ogolla believes that just like in 1987, hosting CHAN will leave a lasting impact—both on and off the pitch.
“Hosting this tournament will open up the country to the continent and the world, just like it did when we played at the All Africa Games,” he concluded. “This is our moment.”
The TotalEnergies CAF CHAN PAMOJA 2024 kicks off on Saturday, 2 August 2025, with matches spread across Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and Kampala.
