McCarthy: ‘Stay calm’ as Kenya face Madagascar in historic quarter-final
Kenya’s Harambee Stars stand on the brink of history as they prepare to face Madagascar in the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) quarterfinals at Moi Sports Centre Kasarani on Friday.
For the first time in 38 years, the Stars will line up in the knockout phase of a major continental competition.
The buzz in Nairobi is electric, but head coach Benni McCarthy has one message for his players: keep calm.
“This is a massive occasion not just for the players and coaches, but for the country as well,” McCarthy said on Thursday.
“None of these players has ever been at this stage before, so the most important thing is to stay calm and not let the weight of the moment overwhelm us.”
Learning from a tough group
Kenya arrive unbeaten after four matches at Kasarani, collecting 10 points through three wins and a draw.
Their strong group-stage showing has built belief, but McCarthy knows Madagascar — fresh from topping a group that included Morocco and DR Congo — present a different kind of challenge.
“We know we’re up against a tough opponent. But if you look at the opposition we faced in our group, it wasn’t easy either. That gives us confidence,” he explained.
“We’ve studied Madagascar well and we have a plan. Our focus is to take the game step by step, stay disciplined, and give our best.”
Eyes on the semifinal
Kenya’s players are also keen to keep emotions in check. Defender Daniel Sakari insists the team will not allow the occasion or outside noise to cloud their focus.
“We’re not distracted by the noise from fans or social media,” the Kenya Police FC right-back said.
“Our eyes are firmly on the game. We’ve analyzed Madagascar and we know what to expect. The target is clear: to get a result and reach the semifinals. We’ll play to our strengths and exploit their weaknesses.”
Madagascar’s fearless spirit
Madagascar are no strangers to making headlines on the continental stage. They reached the semifinals in CHAN 2022 in Algeria, eventually claiming bronze.
Head coach Romuald Felix Rakotondrabe believes that history gives his team the confidence to face Kenya, even in front of a partisan Kasarani crowd.
“We’re here because of hard work, and facing Kenya at home will be tough. But that motivates us even more,” Rakotondrabe said.
“Kenya are strong technically and tactically, very compact and quick in transition. It won’t be easy, but this is a quarterfinal — anything can happen, even away from home.”
His forward, Nantenaina ‘Tony’ Elysee Randriamanampisoa, was equally bullish: “We know it will be a difficult atmosphere with the fans behind Kenya, but we see it as motivation. Our focus is to win and continue making history.”
Different settings, same ambitions
While Kenya have thrived on home soil, Madagascar will need to adapt after playing all their group matches in Dar es Salaam.
Rakotondrabe noted his side has already adjusted to Nairobi’s weather and altitude in the past two days, adding: “My players are ready for battle.”
As Kasarani prepares for a night of deafening noise, both teams know they are 90 minutes away from rewriting their footballing story.
For Kenya, it could mean ending a near four-decade wait for knockout success.
For Madagascar, it could be the continuation of a fairytale journey that shows no sign of slowing down.