AMONG THEM, Tanzania’s midfield
general Feisal Salum Abdallah has emerged as one of the brightest lights.
From the opening whistle in Dar es
Salaam, Feisal set the standard. His masterclass performance against Burkina
Faso not only earned him the first Man of the Match award of the tournament but
also showcased his ability to control tempo, dictate play, and inspire
teammates. The Taifa Stars won 2–0 that night, but it was Feisal’s composure,
vision, and tireless work rate that drew the loudest applause from Benjamin
Mkapa Stadium.
He repeated the feat against the
Central African Republic, once again walking away with the trophy and further
confirming his reputation as one of the most influential players of the group
stage. For Tanzanian fans, Feisal has become more than a midfielder; he is the
embodiment of belief that the Taifa Stars can challenge Africa’s best.
Kenya, making their CHAN debut, have
also celebrated unlikely heroes. Alpha Chris Onyango turned heads with his
all-action display against DR Congo, while goalkeeper Byrne Omondi stole the
headlines in a famous 1–0 victory over Morocco.
Forward Ryan Ogam, who netted the
decisive strike against Zambia, has also been etched into Nairobi’s football
folklore. Uganda, too, broke barriers in style. Allan Okello orchestrated a 3–0
demolition of Guinea, while shot-stopper Joel Mutakubwa put in a commanding
performance against Niger. Their awards marked not just personal glory, but
Uganda’s long-awaited step beyond the group stages of CHAN.
CHAN 2024 has not been short of
continental stars either. Morocco’s Mohamed Rabie Hrimat, Algeria’s
Abderrahmane Meziane Ben Tahar, and Angola’s Gilberto have all dazzled, while
Sudan’s Abdelrazig Taha Yagoub Omer stands out as one of the tournament’s most
consistent performers with two Man of the Match honors.
With the quarter-finals approaching,
the Man of the Match awards are becoming more than just recognition they are snapshots of defining moments that
will shape the story of this tournament.
And while new names will emerge, one
thing is already clear: Feisal has set the benchmark. His performances have not
only lifted Tanzania but also symbolized the pride and passion of East Africa
in this historic co-hosted edition of CHAN.