Kenya's Harambee Stars have captured the nation's attention with their remarkable performance in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024, achieving an unbeaten run in the group stages and securing an early spot in the quarter-finals. This success has not only brought sporting glory but also significant financial rewards and highlighted critical issues concerning fan conduct.

Amidst the excitement, prominent personality Kevin Bahati and his wife, Diana Marua, pledged KSh 1 million to the Harambee Stars if they defeated Morocco. After the team's thrilling 1-0 victory at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, a goal courtesy of Ryan Ogam, questions arose about the promised reward. Bahati clarified that CAF (Confederation of African Football) regulations prevented him from delivering the cash directly to the changing rooms. He later arranged with Football Kenya Federation (FKF) deputy chairperson McDonald Mariga to present the KSh 1 million directly to the players during a training session, reaffirming his commitment to support the team as CEO of Bahati.Bet.

The Harambee Stars' on-pitch performance has been stellar, finishing top and unbeaten in the preliminaries with 10 points from four games. They stunned two-time champions DR Congo in their opening match, secured a draw against Angola despite being reduced to ten men, triumphed over Morocco, and held their nerve against Zambia's Chipolopolo with another single-goal victory. Their quarter-final qualification was even secured before the Zambia match, thanks to favourable results in Group A, emphasizing that sometimes victories occur off the pitch.

However, this milestone has been accompanied by serious concerns regarding fan behaviour. The Morocco game, like previous matches against DR Congo and Angola, was marred by chaotic scenes as fans without tickets breached security. In response, CAF's disciplinary board imposed sanctions, including fines totaling KSh 12.8 million (about $98,500) and a reduction of Kasarani's capacity to 60% for the subsequent Zambia match, limiting attendance to 27,000 tickets. CAF explicitly warned that continued disruptions could jeopardize Kenya’s hosting rights for the quarter-final matches and future opportunities, including AFCON 2027. Fans were urged to celebrate responsibly, respect ticketing controls, and support security staff to avoid further penalties that could diminish Kenya's reputation as a host.

Adding to the pre-match drama for the Zambia fixture, confusion arose over the kick-off time, with CAF's website initially listing 8 pm while printed tickets showed 3 pm. FKF’s Head of Communications, Jeff Kinyanjui, confirmed the correct time as 3 pm EAT, and CAF subsequently updated its listings.

The team's success has been significantly boosted by President William Ruto's unprecedented financial incentives. Before the CHAN 2024 tournament, President Ruto pledged KSh 1 million for every win and KSh 500,000 for a draw. Following their unbeaten run of three wins and one draw, each player is set to receive KSh 5 million, amounting to a collective KSh 210 million for the 42-player squad. President Ruto has made several appearances at Stars' matches and even promised two-bedroom apartments if the team advances past the quarter-finals against Madagascar, an incentive that has fuelled the players' determination.

For many players, this life-changing windfall is more than just money; it's an opportunity to honour their families. Midfielder Boniface Muchiri plans to dedicate his entire sum to his mother, who unwavering faith supported his education and football journey. Captain Abud Omar expressed his desire to