Kenya completed a flawless run in Group A of the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) after edging Zambia 1-0 in a tense finale at the Moi International Sports Centre on Sunday night.

The Harambee Stars, already assured of a quarter-final place, sealed top spot thanks to substitute Ryan Ogam’s composed finish in the 75th minute. The forward latched onto a clever pass from Boniface Muchiri, took a touch under pressure, and slotted past Zambia’s defiant goalkeeper Charles Kalumba to spark jubilant scenes among the 27,000 fans in Nairobi.

Kenya’s persistence finally paid off after Kalumba had frustrated them with a string of crucial saves. Ogam’s breakthrough ensured coach Benni McCarthy’s men closed the group stage unbeaten with 10 points, conceding just once across four matches.

“When people called it the Group of Death, many thought we’d end with nothing. But look at us now—top of the mountain,” McCarthy said with pride after the game.

For Zambia, however, the night underlined a disappointing campaign. Avram Grant’s charges bowed out bottom of the group without a point despite late efforts from Kelvin Kampamba and Prince Mumba, both denied by Kenya’s alert goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo. Grant admitted the defeat stung but stressed the experience would be vital for building his squad for future national duty.

The result, combined with Morocco’s 3-1 victory over DR Congo, confirmed Kenya and Morocco as Group A’s representatives in the last eight. Kenya will remain in Nairobi to battle Madagascar in Friday’s quarter-final, while Morocco head to Dar es Salaam to take on hosts Tanzania.