Kenya coach Benni McCarthy stays determined for 2027 AFCON goals
The 36th tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya Uganda and Tanzania between June 19 and July 18 marking the initial occasion for three nations to co host and the first in the CECAFA area in fifty years following Ethiopias event in 1976.
As hosts Kenya will join the 24 competing teams vying for the prestigious prize presently held by Senegal following their victory over Morocco in the contentious 2025 final held in Rabat.
Although the group draw remains pending the celebrated South African who led the Harambee Stars at the 2024 African Nations Championship hosted collaboratively by the East African trio as a preparatory event for 2027 is already strategising for Kenyas triumph.
Main concern lies in advancing beyond group phase
McCarthy has emphasised his ambition for Kenya to deliver a strong performance aiming primarily to progress from the group stage.
“Advancing past the group stage is the primary concern to begin with,” McCarthy shared with iDiski Times.
“As hosts you cannot afford to falter early in the groups. Such an outcome would harm the entire competition particularly by reducing supporter attendance once the home team is eliminated.”
The former player who holds South Africas national scoring record with 31 goals continued: “However if your country remains in contention supporters will attend matches even without tickets for their own team to witness other squads. But if eliminated there is little motivation to watch.
“In my view achieving progression from the groups constitutes success followed by taking each match as it comes to maximise potential.”
Moroccos recent AFCON elevated expectations significantly
Acknowledging the challenge ahead McCarthy reflected on the just finished AFCON in Morocco which he believes has set an exceptionally high benchmark for the 2027 hosts in East Africa.
“Observing the recent AFCON in Morocco the level was remarkable. The competition reached new heights and superior pitch conditions further enhanced the quality of play,” noted McCarthy the sole South African recipient of the UEFA Champions League trophy secured with Porto in 2004.
McCarthy wrapped up by stating: “Indeed it presents a formidable challenge for us yet we will exert maximum effort and firmly aim to advance from the group stage.”
This represents the second prominent competition under McCarthys guidance since his appointment in March 2025.
At CHAN Kenya featured in Group A with Morocco DR Congo Zambia and Angola securing a 1-0 win over the Leopards then rallying to a 1-1 draw versus the Palancas Negras.
Matchday three saw them overcome the Atlas Lions 1-0 followed by a 1-0 victory against Zambia finishing group play undefeated and qualifying for the knockout rounds for the first time in CHAN history.
The Round of 16 marked the end of Kenyas run with a 1-0 defeat to Madagascar who advanced to the final only to fall to Morocco.
Kenya boasts six prior AFCON appearances positioning them as one of the more seasoned East African participants though they have yet to progress beyond the group stage in any edition.