By Dennis Mabuka
Kenya’s national team midfielder Alpha Onyango was feted with a second Man-of-the-Match accolade as Harambee Stars suffered elimination from the ongoing TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN), following a penalty shoot-out loss to Madagascar at Kasarani Stadium on Friday.
Onyango made history by becoming the first Kenyan player to merit the award reserved for each game’s most outstanding player, following his win in Group A’s opener against DR Congo on Sunday, August 3, 2025.
Onyango’s recognition came in a bittersweet moment for the co-hosts, who fell 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in Nairobi on Friday. Standing with his award in hand, Onyango’s emotions reflected the duality of triumph and disappointment.
“I am happy to be named TotalEnergies Man of the Match but would have been happier if we won the game and progressed to the next round,” he admitted.
Kenya had led through Alphonce Omija’s towering header early in the second half, before Madagascar equalised from the spot through Fenohasina Razafimaro.
A dramatic shoot-out followed, with Omija and Mike Kibwage missing crucial kicks as Madagascar advanced. Onyango’s energy, composure, and tactical discipline in midfield, however, earned him deserved recognition from CAF’s technical panel.
Despite the crushing exit, Onyango stressed that Kenya’s players had no reason to hide their pride.
“It is sad that we didn’t progress because we gave our all. Despite exiting, we leave with our heads held high,” he said.
It was a campaign that had already rewritten the country’s football story. On debut, Kenya had topped Group A ahead of Morocco and DR Congo, conceding just once in four games.
Kenya’s superb campaign in the group stages saw them finish top of Group A with 10 points, while Madagascar finished second in Group B with seven points. Harambee Stars kicked off their CHAN campaign with a 1-0 win against two-time CHAN winners DR Congo, before securing a 1-1 draw against Angola.
Kenya recovered to beat another two-time CHAN champions Morocco 1-0 despite playing with 10 men before rounding off their group matches with a 1-0 win against Zambia. McCarthy’s men conceded only once in four matches, underlining their defensive discipline.
The victory against the Chipolopolo, which was sealed by a second-half goal courtesy of Ryan Ogam, ensured that Kenya remained in Nairobi for their quarter-final clash. This was Kenya’s third meeting with a COSAFA member nation at CHAN after a 1-1 draw with Angola and a 1-0 win over Zambia in the group stage.
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