Kenya national football team have been urged to target a semi-final place at the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 after an appeal from Nicholas Musonye to head coach Benni McCarthy.
The call represents a bold ambition for a side that has never progressed beyond the group stage in six appearances at the tournament.
With Kenya set to host the 2027 edition, expectations have risen sharply, placing the national team under increased scrutiny ahead of the competition.
For the Harambee Stars, the objective marks a significant shift from participation to performance.
The country’s football authorities and supporters now want tangible progress on home soil, hoping to turn potential into results at continental level.
McCarthy faces the challenge of reshaping both the tactical approach and the mentality of a squad historically eliminated in the opening round.
Achieving a place among the final four would demand a rapid transformation in competitiveness and consistency, as well as the ability to compete against Africa’s established football powers.
The tournament’s hosting role adds further pressure.
Playing at home has intensified public expectation that the team will deliver a performance matching the occasion.
The emphasis is no longer simply on taking part, but on challenging the hierarchy of African football.
Kenya’s previous six campaigns ended at the group stage, a record that underlines the scale of the task ahead.
Reaching the semi-finals would therefore represent a historic breakthrough and redefine the country’s standing in continental competition.
For McCarthy, the mission combines complexity with opportunity.
The coach must guide a transition from early exits to sustained success, balancing preparation, belief and performance as the nation looks ahead to a defining tournament on its own territory.
