Beyond hosting: Mvurya wants Harambee Stars chasing AFCON 2027 crown

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has challenged Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the Harambee Stars technical team to develop a clear preparation roadmap, with Kenya targeting more than just a successful hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

Speaking on Tuesday, after meeting the AFCON 2027 Local Organizing Committee, chaired by Nicholas Musonye, Mvurya said Kenya should use the home advantage to mount a serious challenge for the continental title.

“We are not just hosting the Africa Cup of Nations, we have to win. Therefore, the Football Kenya Federation and the technical team of Harambee Stars will equally be looking at their roadmap,” Mvurya said.

He said the plan should be geared towards taking Harambee Stars through the knockout stages and ultimately challenging for the trophy.

“One key item is to see how Harambee Stars can have a very, very good preparation. A good roadmap that will assure a win, either in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finally lifting the trophy,” he added.

The call comes as Kenya prepares for its first AFCON finals appearance since 2019. Harambee Stars are in Group D of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea, although Kenya, as a co-host, already has an automatic place at the finals.

CAF has scheduled the six qualifier matchdays between September 2026 and March 2027.

Mvurya says the government will support FKF and the technical team while bringing other government agencies on board to ensure the country is ready both on and off the pitch.

“We will be mobilising on a whole-of-government approach to bring on board ministries and agencies of government that have a role to play in making AFCON a very successful and memorable event for Kenya.”

On infrastructure, Mvurya said the 60,000-seater Raila Odinga International Stadium at Talanta Sports City had reached 94 per cent completion as of last week.

The main pitch has been laid, while two remaining training facilities were reported to be at 50 and 40 per cent completion respectively. The government says the stadium could be ready for use in November.

Kasarani and Nyayo are also part of Kenya’s AFCON preparations, with the government working on facilities and training grounds to meet CAF requirements. Mvurya has previously said Ulinzi and Police SACCO grounds would also serve as training venues.

Kenya is co-hosting AFCON 2027 with Uganda and Tanzania, in what will be the first edition of the tournament jointly hosted by three countries. The competition is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, marking AFCON’s return to East Africa for the first time since Ethiopia hosted the tournament in 1976.

“And I'm very confident that as the Republic of Kenya, we have what it takes to host a very, very successful Africa Cup of Nations.”

With less than a year to the finals, Mvurya’s message is clear: Kenya must not be satisfied with simply hosting AFCON 2027 — Harambee Stars must prepare to compete for the trophy.