Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has played down the country’s chances of winning the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, admitting that the Harambee Stars currently lack the resources and squad strength to compete with Africa’s leading football nations.
McCarthy believes Kenya would face a significant challenge against established AFCON contenders such as Morocco, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal, whom he described as powerhouses of African football.
“Even if you were to pay me millions and millions of dollars to win AFCON, I don’t think Kenya has resources and the team strong enough to compete with Morocco, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal,” McCarthy said.
The South African coach’s assessment reflects the gap he believes currently exists between Kenya and the continent’s most established national teams.
McCarthy, however, will be tasked with improving Kenya’s competitiveness as the country prepares to co-host the 2027 AFCON alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
The Harambee Stars will be hoping to use home advantage and continued development under McCarthy to close the gap with Africa’s top sides when the tournament arrives.
