Nairobi Kenya: Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has set his sights on guiding Kenya past the group stages of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), banking on home advantage and what he describes as immense local talent.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with South Africa’s outlet CMTV, McCarthy expressed confidence that Kenya, who will co-host Africa Cup of Nations in 2027, can finally achieve a milestone the nation has never reached at the continental showpiece.
“Kenya is an upcoming nation, an East African nation, a sleeping giant,” McCarthy said. “The talent I’ve seen over the past year working in Kenya is immense. They have a great mentality, good work ethic, fantastic running power, and we want to convert that into football.”
Kenya have featured at AFCON six times—in 1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004 and 2019—but have exited at the group stage on every occasion. With the expanded tournament format and the backing of home fans, McCarthy believes the time is right to change that narrative.
“The progress has been good,” he noted. “But as hosts, you want to at least get out of the group stages. That’s the minimum expectation.”
However, the former Bafana Bafana striker admitted that the tournament draw will play a crucial role in determining how far the Harambee Stars can go. He hopes Kenya avoid heavyweight opponents early on.
“I am praying that we don’t get a ‘Group of Death’,” McCarthy said. “If you’re grouped with teams like Morocco, Ivory Coast or Senegal, then you know it’s extremely difficult.”
Instead, McCarthy is eyeing a more balanced group that would give Kenya a realistic chance to progress—similar to their run at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) in 2024, where they reached the quarter-finals.
“If we are in a modest group, we can have a fighting chance,” he added. “The first goal is to get out of the group and have the same impact we had at CHAN.”
With AFCON 2027 fast approaching, McCarthy’s message is clear: Kenya are no longer just hosts—they want to compete, progress, and make history on home soil.
