Benni McCarthy: Even if You Pay Me Millions of Dollars, Kenya Cannot Win AFCON
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Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has admitted that Kenya currently lacks the squad and resources to compete with Africa’s leading football nations at the Africa Cup of Nations.
McCarthy named Morocco, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, and Guinea as powerhouses on the continent, saying Kenya is not yet at their level.
“Even if you were to pay me millions and millions of dollars to win AFCON, I don’t think Kenya has the resources and the team strong enough to compete with Morocco, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal. Those are powerhouses, Guinea can also, you know you have fantastic players. Those are the powerhouses in African football.” McCarthy said.
Kenya’s Recent Results Highlight Challenge
McCarthy’s assessment comes after Harambee Stars completed the latest international window without registering a win.
Kenya began the run with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Guinea in their AFCON 2027 qualifier on October 1. The team then closed the window with a goalless draw against Rwanda in a friendly match in Kigali on October 5.
The three matches exposed one of the challenges McCarthy has repeatedly faced with the team: converting possession and promising attacking moves into goals.
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Against Rwanda, Kenya created several chances but failed to convert them into goals. In the match against Guinea, Serhou Guirassy capitalized on a defensive lapse in the first half to score the decisive goal.
Kenya has already secured its place at the 2027 AFCON as one of the tournament’s co-hosts. As a result, McCarthy is now focusing on building a team capable of competing effectively when the tournament begins.
McCarthy Faces Squad-Building Task
The South African coach has also spent part of his time away from Kenya between international camps, citing unresolved work permit issues affecting him and his technical team.
McCarthy has previously explained that he leaves after completing his assignments because he does not want to remain in Kenya without the required documentation.
“It’s been one and a half years now in Kenya, but we don’t have work permits. We can’t work as illegal immigrants. That’s why I come, do my job, then leave when the camp is finished,” he said.
Also Read: Harambee Stars Coach McCarthy Addresses Concerns Over His Absence from Kenya
His latest comments underline the scale of the rebuilding job facing him as Kenya prepares for a tournament that will bring some of Africa’s strongest sides to home soil.
For McCarthy, competing with those teams will require more than securing qualification. He believes Kenya needs greater squad quality and resources to close the gap with Africa’s established football powerhouses.
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Harambee Stars team members in a stadium. PHOTO/NMG
