Kenya's national football team, Harambee Stars, will face a tough challenge against Guinea in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying match on Thursday in Conakry. The match comes after a disappointing start to their qualifying campaign, where they were held to a 1-1 draw by Eritrea at Nyayo Stadium last week. Coach Benni McCarthy expressed dissatisfaction with his team's performance, citing a lack of rhythm against a side ranked 75 places below them in the world.
The draw left Kenya with one point in Group D, alongside Eritrea, while South Africa tops the group with three points after their 2-1 victory over Guinea in the opening match. Guinea, also without a point, will be eager to utilize their home advantage to get back on track. McCarthy will be expecting a different performance from his players, who were affected by a pay dispute that disrupted their preparations for the Eritrea match.
The pay dispute led to limited training time for the team, and the effects were evident against Eritrea, as Kenya struggled to convert their chances and had to rely on Ryan Ogam's late equalizer to avoid defeat. With more time to work with the team this week, McCarthy has challenged his players to cut out mistakes and show greater purpose from the start. The coach aims to build a team capable of competing strongly in the 2027 Afcon, which Kenya will co-host alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
Although Kenya have already secured their place in the 2027 Afcon finals as co-hosts, McCarthy is using the qualifiers to assess his players and shape his squad. The match against Guinea carries significance beyond the result, as McCarthy wants to see a team that can respond to setbacks. Kenya will need to be more clinical in front of goal, more organized without the ball, and better prepared to deal with Guinea's pressure.
In the latest provisional Fifa rankings, Harambee Stars dropped one place to 110th with 1,178.62 points, losing 6.46 points after being held by Eritrea. Eritrea retained their 184th spot in the world. The other Group D match will see South Africa face Eritrea, with Bafana Bafana looking to build on their opening victory.
McCarthy's team will have to overcome the challenges of playing in Conakry, where Guinea will be under pressure to deliver in front of their home fans after their defeat by South Africa. Another loss could leave Guinea's qualification hopes in a difficult position. Despite this, McCarthy remains focused on building a competitive team for the 2027 Afcon.
The match against Guinea provides an opportunity for Kenya to bounce back from their disappointing start and make a statement in the qualifying campaign. With a more prepared team and a focused approach, Harambee Stars will look to make a positive impact in Conakry and take a significant step towards achieving their goals in the 2027 Afcon qualifiers.
Key points
- Harambee Stars are seeking redemption against Guinea after a disappointing start to their 2027 Afcon qualifying campaign.
