The Harambee Stars boss has reportedly told Kenyans that winning the Africa Cup of Nations is not impossible, but that with the current squad it is very unlikely. For a national team coach, that’s a bold thing to say out loud, especially with the tournament coming to East Africa. Football coaches love big promises. Benni McCarthy just did the opposite.
What he actually said
As reported, McCarthy believes Kenya simply doesn’t have the resources or the squad strength to compete with the continent’s heavyweights, naming Morocco, Senegal, Egypt and Ivory Coast. He went further, suggesting that even if someone handed him millions of dollars, the gap wouldn’t close quickly.
His target is more modest: a place in the quarterfinals of AFCON 2027. And for Kenya to become a serious contender for the trophy, he says it could take as much as ten years of development.
Kenyan fans are used to cycles of excitement and disappointment. A new coach arrives, hopes soar, and when results don’t match the hype, the blame game begins. By setting a clear and honest expectation, McCarthy is trying to break that cycle. A quarterfinal is a real target. It’s high enough to inspire the players, and low enough to be believable. If the team gets there, it will feel like a triumph. If it falls short, nobody can say they were misled.
Why the gap exists
The countries McCarthy mentioned didn’t get to the top by accident. They’ve spent years building strong academies, deep domestic leagues and a pipeline of players who reach top European clubs. Their coaches have long-term contracts and stable support, and their federations plan years ahead.
Kenya is still working on many of those foundations. Talent isn’t the problem, since Kenyans have always produced gifted players. The challenge is turning raw ability into a system that produces quality consistently.
Ten years sounds like a long time, and it is. But in football, serious progress usually is. A boy who joins a good academy today could be in his prime in a decade. A better league structure takes years to show results. McCarthy’s timeline isn’t pessimism so much as a reminder that real improvement can’t be rushed.
The risk is that fans and officials hear “ten years” and decide to be patient with nothing. The vision only works if there is a real plan behind it, with investment in youth football, coaching education, facilities and the local game.
What AFCON 2027 can still achieve
Even if the trophy is out of reach, the tournament matters. Playing in front of home crowds is a chance to grow the next generation of fans, attract sponsors and give young players the experience of a major competition. A strong showing could also help the case for more funding.
To be honest enough, McCarthy isn’t telling Kenyans to stop dreaming. He’s telling them to dream with their eyes open. The quarterfinals are the goal for 2027, and the bigger prize, if it comes, will be built slowly and on purpose.
What’s your view: is this healthy realism, or should a coach always aim higher? Tell us in the comments.
