Cassypool says bad omens at Kasarani doomed Harambee Stars despite top performance
By Steve Ireri, August 23, 2025Kenya’s journey at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) came to a painful end on Friday, August 22, 2025, after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to Madagascar at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The Harambee Stars were eliminated 4-3 on spot kicks after a tense quarterfinal clash that had ended 1-1 in regulation and extra time.
While many Kenyans lauded the team for its spirited performance and historic run in the tournament, controversial political commentator Cassypool took a different angle, claiming that the loss had less to do with the players on the pitch and more to do with what he described as bad omens and poor decisions off the field.
“The first problem was that there were bad omens inside that stadium. The match had started well when it was just Ruto and Raila together, and the team was winning at that point. Then other people came in with dirty spirits,” he said.
Speaking during an interview with Jackie Ogaga on Saturday, August 23, 2025, Cassypool argued that the presence of certain political figures at Kasarani created negative energy around the match.
He blamed President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga, accusing them of displaying excessive leniency by allowing individuals he described as politicians with questionable pasts to access the stadium.
He said the goodwill of both leaders ended up backfiring on the national team.
“You are allowing party snitches into the stadium. I want to blame that loss on two people, President William Ruto and Raila Odinga. They both have such soft hearts that they allowed unworthy people to access that venue. I have told the president many times that his kindness will cost him, and now it has cost us. How does a president allow people who were impeached to enter the stadium? How do you allow people who were expelled from parties to come inside? How do you allow MPs who are already destined to lose in 2027 to sit in that ground?”
According to Cassypool, the Harambee Stars had shown their strength by defeating Morocco earlier in the tournament, and therefore it was unconvincing to suggest that they could be eliminated by Madagascar, a side he described as less formidable.
He insisted that the problem was not with the players, whom he praised for their discipline and preparation, but with the atmosphere surrounding the match, which he claimed was tainted by the wrong people gaining access to the venue.
“Harambee Stars had already beaten Morocco, and you cannot convince me that after beating Morocco, they could then lose to a smaller team like Madagascar. I tell you, Tanzanians cried real tears when Madagascar defeated us,” he said.
The match itself told a different story.
Harambee Stars started strongly, with Boniface Muchiri, Suleiman Manzur Okwaro, Ben Stanley Omondi, and Ryan Ogam combining effectively in midfield, though Madagascar’s defence held firm. The first half ended goalless, but in the 48th minute, Gor Mahia defender Alphonce Omija gave Kenya the lead with a well-placed header from a Muchiri free kick.
Madagascar equalised in the 69th minute after a handball by Lewis Bandi inside Kenya’s penalty area. Gilles Razafimaro converted the resulting penalty, forcing extra time. With neither side able to break the deadlock, the match proceeded to penalties, where Kenya missed twice through Mike Kibwage and Omija.
Madagascar’s goalkeeper Michel Ramandimbisoa made decisive saves, securing a 4-3 shootout win for the island nation and a spot in the semifinals.
Cassypool, however, maintained that Harambee Stars deserved to win and credited them for reaching a level never seen before in the competition. He said their fighting spirit made Kenyans proud, but lamented that external influences at Kasarani had derailed what could have been a historic qualification to the last four.
“The players were top-notch, and they had trained well. They were ready, and even in the last minutes of the game, they gave their all. For the first time, we are very proud of Kenya because they have reached a stage they have never reached before, and they have shown that they truly know how to play football. I want to take this opportunity to tell Kenyans that the team did its part, but leadership failed them,” he added.
Despite the heartbreak, many observers agreed that Kenya’s CHAN campaign demonstrated tactical maturity and growing competitiveness on the continental stage. Madagascar will now face the winner between Algeria and Sudan on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.