Harambee Stars will face Guinea on Thursday, October 1, in a crucial 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier. Coach Benni McCarthy has warned his squad about Guinea's attacking prowess ahead of the Group D clash. Kenya enter the match without a win, having been held 1-1 by Eritrea, while Guinea are also looking for their first points after losing to South Africa.
McCarthy emphasized the importance of a perfect match against Guinea, highlighting the threat posed by their skilled players. He stressed that even a single defensive lapse could prove fatal against a side like Guinea. The coach's warning is well-founded, given Kenya's defensive errors against Eritrea, where they lost possession cheaply and conceded.
Guinea's attack presents a significant threat, led by Borussia Dortmund striker Serhou Guirassy and featuring Ilaix Moriba and Seydouba Cissé, who scored against South Africa. Notable absentees from the Guinea squad include Naby Keïta, Mohamed Mady Camara, and Mohamed Bayo. The match carries extra weight for Guinea, as Kenya, as one of AFCON 2027's co-hosts, have already secured their place at the tournament.
The dynamic of the group makes every point precious for Guinea and South Africa alike, with only the top-finishing side from Group D, excluding Kenya, qualifying alongside them. Kenya have never won in Guinea, with four victories each across eight all-time meetings between the two nations, although all previous clashes came in World Cup qualifying rather than AFCON competition.
Guinea coach Paulo Duarte has criticized the AFCON 2027 qualifying draw, questioning why Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania were placed in separate groups despite qualifying automatically as co-hosts. Duarte now faces Kenya in Conakry, with another poor result threatening to derail Guinea's campaign early.
The match against Guinea is scheduled for Thursday, October 1, at 7 pm EAT, and will be broadcast on SuperSport Channel 207. Coach McCarthy confirmed he still trusts midfielder Manzur Okwaro and plans to keep faith with the youngster, despite his mistake against Eritrea.
McCarthy's team will look to improve on their display against Eritrea, where they created few chances and were wasteful when opportunities arose. Training has resumed after a player boycott over unpaid allowances, and McCarthy will be looking for a sharper, more composed display in Guinea.
Key points
- Kenya's Harambee Stars face a tough test against Guinea in their second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
- Coach Benni McCarthy has warned his squad about Guinea's attacking prowess ahead of the Group D clash.
- The match carries extra weight for Guinea, as Kenya have already secured their place at the tournament as co-hosts.
