McCarthy Outlines Kenya’s 2027 AFCON Goal

Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are jointly scheduled to host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament, marking the first time three countries will share hosting duties for the competition. The event, the 36th edition organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), is set to run from June 19 to July 18.

This AFCON represents the first tournament in the CECAFA region since Ethiopia hosted in 1976. Kenya’s national team head coach, Benni McCarthy, has outlined a specific goal for Harambee Stars in their role as co-hosts.

Target for Harambee Stars

Benni McCarthy has expressed his ambition for the Kenyan national team to advance beyond the group stages during the 2027 AFCON. McCarthy, who led the team to the knockout stages of the 2024 CHAN tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, believes Kenya possesses significant footballing potential.

McCarthy, in an interview with South Africa’s CMTV, noted the immense talent he has observed within Kenya. He highlighted the team’s strong mentality, work ethic, and running ability, emphasizing the need to translate these attributes into improved on-field performance. He cautioned against being placed in a challenging group, citing nations like Morocco, Ivory Coast, and Senegal as examples of formidable opponents.

A Vision for Kenyan Football

McCarthy stated his desire to elevate the profile of Kenyan football to a level comparable with the nation’s renowned athletics program. He hopes to foster greater belief and support for the national team, mirroring the widespread passion for athletics in Kenya.

Reaching the Round of 16 would be considered a successful starting point, according to McCarthy. Kenya’s participation in the recent CHAN tournament concluded with a Round of 16 loss to Madagascar on penalties.