Kinshasa, August 3rd, 2025 (CPA).- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) team, the Leopards A’, has lost to Kenya (the Harambee Stars) by a score of (0-1) on Sunday at the Moi International Sport Centre stadium in Nairobi, in the opening match of Group A of the 8th edition of the African Nations Championship (Chan 2024). The Leopards A’ have started the match very strongly, even opening the scoring through Jephte Kitambala (5th minute), but the goal was ruled offside by VAR. This was a warning for the home team in front of their fans, who has organised themselves and responded with a fatal blow for the Leopards A’ with a defensive lapse in added time, with Kenya’s Harambee Stars A’ opening the scoring through Austin Otieno Odhiambo (47th) from a decisive pass by David Sakwa, making it 1-0 at half-time. After the break, the two teams were remained neck and neck despite the changes made by both sides and the persistence of Otis Ngoma’s men in attack.
The Harambee Stars of Kenya remained solid in defence and, supported by their fans, the score remained unchanged until the final whistle from referee Soulaimane Amaldine. This was the third victory for the Harambee Stars of Kenya in their last four matches. On Saturday June 15th, 2019, the two teams had drawn 1-1 in a friendly match. On Sunday March 26th, 2017, Kenya had beaten DRC 2-1 in another friendly, and on Wednesday October 4th, DRC had lost 0-1 in yet another friendly. So DRC has lost for the third time, but this time in an official match (0-1). CPA/ MASUMBUKO