‘A Sleeping Giant’: Benni McCarthy Targets AFCON 2027 Knockout Stage With Kenya
Benni McCarthy has outlined his ambitions for Kenya national football team ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
He declared that reaching the knockout rounds would mark meaningful progress for the East African nation.
Speaking about his expectations, McCarthy said the immediate objective is clear — advance beyond the group phase.
“The progress has been good, but I think what I expect and see achievement-wise since we are the host nation, you want to at least get out of the group stages,” he said.
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‘A Sleeping Giant’ With Untapped Potential
The former striker described Kenya as a “sleeping giant,” pointing to the abundance of raw talent he has encountered since taking charge.
“Kenya is an upcoming nation, an East African nation, a sleeping giant, I feel, because the talents that I have seen over this year working in Kenya are immense,” he said.
According to McCarthy, the players’ dedication and mentality have stood out, and he believes the foundations are being laid for long-term growth. While acknowledging steady progress, he stressed that the team must now translate potential into results on the continental stage.
Realism Amid Big Ambitions
Despite his optimism, McCarthy admitted that Kenya are not yet at the level of some of Africa’s traditional heavyweights. However, he suggested that a favourable draw could significantly boost their chances of advancing.
“If we are in a modest group, we can have a fighting chance,” he said, adding that replicating the competitive spirit shown in past continental competitions would be key.
For McCarthy, reaching the Round of 16 would represent a solid platform to build on, even if going further remains uncertain.
Raising Football to Athletics’ Level
Beyond tournament ambitions, McCarthy views AFCON 2027 as a catalyst for broader change. He hopes a strong showing will inspire greater belief in Kenyan football and elevate its standing nationally.
“I just want to make a difference,” he said, expressing his desire to see football command the same confidence and pride that athletics enjoys in the country.
With the countdown to 2027 underway, McCarthy’s message is a blend of ambition and pragmatism — dream big, but take it one milestone at a time.
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