Harambee Stars are under growing pressure after a slow start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, with former players and officials calling for urgent action.
Kenya opened Group D with a 1-1 home draw against Eritrea in Nairobi before losing 1-0 to Guinea in Conakry on September 28, where Borussia Dortmund forward Serhou Guirassy scored in the second half after a defensive mix-up.
Hosts, but still under scrutiny
Kenya are already guaranteed a place at the finals as joint hosts with Uganda and Tanzania, which means the group will decide which of South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea takes the other qualifying spot. South Africa lead the group with six points after a 5-0 win over Eritrea, with Guinea second on three.
Even so, critics argue the qualifiers are an important test for Benni McCarthy’s side ahead of a home tournament. Former midfielder Reginald Asibwa has called for a crisis meeting between the Ministry of Sports and the federation, while former Football Kenya Federation president Sam Nyamweya criticised the current leadership over team selection, player welfare and preparation.
Kenya, ranked 113th in the world, face South Africa next in the group as McCarthy returns to familiar ground against his home nation.
