The Harambee Stars were eliminated from the CHAN 2024 continental tournament after a heart-wrenching 4-3 loss on post-match penalties to Madagascar in the quarterfinals. The match, held at the Moi International Sports Center (MISC) Kasarani Stadium on August 22, 2025, saw a charged atmosphere where hope filled the air, only to be replaced by disappointment for the Kenyan side.

Kenya began the match with strong intent, testing Madagascar goalkeeper Ramandimbisoa Michel early on when captain Abud Omar's deflected free-kick in the third minute forced a stretch-save. Despite a moment of lapse in the eighth minute when Alphonce Omija lost the ball, forcing Bryne Omondi to clear, the Harambee Stars maintained pressure. The first half saw periods of physical play from Madagascar, with the referee Adalbert Diouf from Senegal frequently pausing the game due to fouls on Kenyan players like Omar, Boniface Muchiri, and Manzur Okwaro.

A long ball from Mike Kibwage set Ryan Ogam free, who then found Muchiri. However, Muchiri's cut-back went wide despite having time, missing an opportunity for Ogam and Ben Stanley waiting in the box. Muchiri continued to be a threat, forcing a foul at the edge of the box in the 30th minute, but his subsequent set-piece went high and off target. Both teams struggled to find the net in a slow closing 15 minutes of the half, with Kenya managing only one shot on target and Madagascar holding 52 percent possession, leading to a 0-0 half-time score.

The second half started brightly for Kenya, and this time they capitalized. In the 48th minute, Alphonce Omija met Muchiri's free-kick with a close-range header, giving Kenya a 1-0 lead. The stadium erupted, but the celebrations were short-lived when Ryan Ogam's potential third goal of the tournament was ruled out for a foul, as Stanley was penalized for pushing Rado Niaina before heading the ball towards Ogam. The loud Kenyan fans were silenced in the 69th minute when Diouf awarded Madagascar a penalty after Lewis Bandi was judged to have blocked Heriniaina Toky's shot with his hand inside the box. Fenohasina Gilles calmly stepped up and converted from the spot, leveling the score at 1-1.

Coach McCarthy responded with substitutions, bringing in Austine Odongo for Ogam and Edward Omondi for Muchiri. These changes almost paid off immediately, with Edward Omondi finding himself unmarked in the 73rd minute but his shot was punched away for a corner. From the resulting set-piece, Odongo headed over the bar. Madagascar captain Nantenaina Elysee proved crucial in the 88th minute, clearing Alpha Onyango's cross from a charging Odongo. Goalkeeper Michel also made two vital saves in added time, punching away Omar’s corner and stopping Marvin Nabwire’s rebound, keeping Madagascar alive as the game headed into extra time.

In extra time, Edward Omondi was called into action in the 96th minute, easily collecting a mid-range shot from Gilles. A scramble in front of goal at the end of the first 15 minutes saw Niaina clear the ball off the line from a Kenyan set-piece, followed by Kibwage blocking a one-on-one attack from Madagascar, as the game remained open. Ultimately, the match proceeded to a penalty shootout.

In the tense penalty shootout, Madagascar's captain Nantenaina Elysee, Nomena Lalaina, Fenohasina Gilles, and Heriniaina Toky all successfully converted their kicks. For Harambee Stars, Mohammed Siraji, Daniel Sakari, and Sylvester Owino scored, but Alphonce Omija and Mike Kibwage both missed their penalties, sealing Kenya's exit from the tournament. The loss was a bitter pill for the Harambee Stars and their supporters, who had hoped to progress further in the competition.