Benni McCarthy sets target for Kenya at 2027 AFCON

Kenya national team head coach Benni McCarthy has set a target for Harambee Stars to achieve when they host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

The 36th edition of the African tournament organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is scheduled to be hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania from June 19 to July 18.

This edition of the AFCON tournament remains the first to be hosted by three countries, and the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.

After Kenya’s successful debut during the 2024 CHAN co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, McCarthy, who was in charge of the team that reached the knockout stages, is now focusing to see the team achieve the same during 2027 AFCON.

‘We want to at least get out of group stages’

“Kenya is an upcoming nation, an East African nation, a sleeping giant I feel, because the talents that I have seen over this year working in Kenya are immense,” McCarthy told South Africa’s CMTV as quoted by Pulse Sports.

“They have got a great mentality, good work ethic, fantastic running power and we want to try and convert that into football. The progress has been good but I think what I expect and see achievement wise since we are the host nation you want to at least get out of the group stages.”

The South African legend added: “I am praying that we don’t get a ‘Group of Death’ because that would really kill our chances. If you are in a group with Morocco, Ivory Coast or Senegal, then ‘Group of Death’ because you know for a fact you don’t have that kind of quality and prowess.

“But if we are in a modest group, we can have a fighting chance and that is the first goal that we want to achieve, get out of the group and have the same impact we had when we played in the CHAN competition.

‘I want football to compete with athletics’

He continued: “That [Round of 16] would be a good starting point, a success for us, but beyond that is anyone’s guess. I just want to make a difference, Kenyan football when you leave there, people would believe more in their football like they do in athletics.

“Athletics is like a religion for Kenyans but I want football to become on par with athletics because there are some football talents and hopefully, me and my team can achieve that because the people believe and are backing the national team.”

During the CHAN, Kenya’s journey ended in the Round of 16 after losing to Madagascar via penalties.