VICTOR WANYAMA EXPLAINS HOW BENNI MCCARTHY CAN LEAD HARAMBEE STARS TO AFCON 2027 GLORY

Victor Wanyama feels Harambee Stars can surprise at AFCON 2027.

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama is backing Kenya to surprise at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations due to a number of factors.

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has shared what gives him confidence of a successful 2027 Africa Cup of Nations for Kenya.

Kenya will be one of the co-hosts for AFCON 2027 alongside neighbours Kenya and Uganda and there is pressure to impress on home soil.

However, history suggests it might be a struggle to get out of their group given they have never gone past that level at all their previous six AFCON appearances.

Wanyama, however, feels Kenya do have enough quality and can spring a surprise when heavily motivated and pushed on by fans as seen during the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

What is Wanyama Banking on For AFCON Success?

“We hosted CHAN, and nobody expected the local players to perform the way they did. That showed that with fans behind them at home, anything is possible,” Wanyama said on the Obi One Podcast.

“I believe in the boys; they have quality, and with proper training and preparation, they can beat any team on home soil.

The former Southampton and Tottenham midfielder is calling on early and proper preparation for the national team ahead of the continental tournament if Kenya have to post positive results.

“With good preparation and the same spirit they showed during CHAN, coupled with the support they received then, we have the potential to be the best,” he further said.

CHAN Experience Will Be Vital For Kenya

“We need to invest in infrastructure, give young players opportunities, focus on grassroots football, establish strong and well-structured youth leagues, and support academies. That is how we can develop many quality players.”

Kenya had an impressive run at CHAN 2024, when they finished top of a group that had Morocco, eventual winners of the competition, DR Congo, Angola and Zambia, making it to the quarter-final where they lost to Madagascar on post-match penalties.

Identical 1-0 wins against DR Congo, Morocco and Zambia, coupled with a 1-1 draw with Angola saw Benni McCarthy’s team finish top of a ‘Group of Death’ that few gave them a chance of getting out of.

- Joel Omotto 

HARAMBEE STARS | 2026 WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS | FINAL SQUAD

The Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy names the squad 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers squad to play against Burundi and Ivory Coast 

October 9 – Burundi 🇧🇮 

October 14– Ivory Coast 🇨🇮

#Atekersportsupdates #HarambeeStars #kenya

POLITICS ASIDE WHEN IT COMES TO ROOTING FOR KENYA (HARAMBEE STARS) | CHAN 2024

 

KENYA. FANS HAVE THEIR SAY ON CHAN 2024

SOUTH AFRICAN SOCCER STAR BENNI MCCARTHY IS THE NEW HARAMBE STARS HEAD COACH

 

Former Manchester United attack coach Benni McCarthy has been named the new head coach of Kenya's national men's football team, the Harambee Stars. The 47-year-old has signed a contract until 2027, with his role commencing immediately.

He will be supported by a seasoned technical team, including Vasili Manousakis as Assistant Coach, Moeneeb Josephs as Goalkeepers Coach, and Pilela Maposa as Performance Analyst. His first challenge with Kenya will be to face Gambia and then host Gabon this month in the next round of qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup.

McCarthy enjoyed a stellar career with top clubs such as Porto, where he won the UEFA Champions League in 2003, as well as Ajax Amsterdam, Celta Vigo, Blackburn Rovers, and West Ham United. This appointment marks his debut as a national team manager.

 - allAfrica 

HARAMBE.STARS ARRIVE IN ZANZIBAR AHEAD OF MAPINDUZI CUP SHOWDOWN

©FKF
 

Harambee Stars kick-off their campaign against Burkina Faso on Saturday.

The Kenya national football team, Harambee Stars, has touched down on Pemba Island, Zanzibar, in anticipation of the inaugural Mapinduzi Cup, which kicks off on Friday.

The team, under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Francis Kimanzi, has been gearing up for the tournament with an eye on both glory and preparation for the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) in February.

Stars began their journey with a 40-man provisional squad in camp in Nairobi. Following intense preparations, Coach Kimanzi has finalized a 24-man squad, which he believes is ready to bring home the title.

The tournament offers a golden opportunity for Kimanzi to fine-tune his strategies and find the right balance for his "new-look" team.

The team is set to kick off their campaign on Saturday with a high-stakes match against Burkina Faso.

The second group stage match will pit them against Tanzania's Kilimanjaro Stars on Tuesday, followed by a concluding group game against hosts Zanzibar on Friday, January 12.

The format of the tournament will see the top two teams from the group stage advance to the final, scheduled for Monday, January 16.

The competition is not only a chance for silverware but also a critical test ahead of CHAN.

The 24-man squad

Goalkeepers: Byrne Odhiambo, Faruk Shikalo, Sepstanious Wekesa.

Defenders: Sylvester Owino, Hanif Wesonga, Alphonce Omija, Brian Okoth, Abud Omar, Siraj Mohammed, Ronney Onyango, Daniel Sakari.

Midfielders: Michael Mutinda, Chrispine Erambo, Brian Musa, Kelly Madada, Austine Odhiambo, Kenneth Muguna, Ben Stanley Omondi, Mohammed Bajaber, Boniface Muchiri, Darius Msagah, James Kinyanjui.

Forwards:  Moses Shumah, Ryan Ogam.

 - Stephen Awino 

'BIG VIC' EXPRESSES GRATITUDE IN HEARTFELT MESSAGE AFTER NOSTALGIC CELTIC CELTIC PARK RETURN

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama returned to Celtic Park, receiving a warm welcome and reuniting with fans and former teammates.

Former Celtic midfielder Victor Wanyama has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Celtic fans and the club after a nostalgic visit to Celtic Park on Tuesday night.

The Kenyan powerhouse, who famously scored against Barcelona in Celtic's historic 2012 Champions League win, made a triumphant return to witness Celtic’s recent 3-1 victory over RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

The visit was a warm and emotional homecoming for Wanyama, who was visibly moved by the reception from fans.

Reflecting on his experience at halftime, he participated in the popular Paradise Windfall draw, delighting supporters with remarks about his time at the club.

Celtic Park, thank you for your warm welcome,” Wanyama tweeted on Thursday.

The night served not only as an evening of European football for Wanyama but also as a reunion with old teammates and friends.

Among them was Scott Brown, his former midfield partner at Celtic, and current Hoops standout Alistair Johnston, with whom he shared the pitch while playing at Montreal.

Wanyama’s return also highlighted the enduring bond he shares with Johnston, whom he advised before the Canadian's move to Celtic in December 2022.

Alistair Johnston, who joined Celtic shortly after Wanyama’s encouragement, has since become a celebrated player for the club, winning a treble within six months and making a strong impression on the Celtic faithful.

Big Vic, legend. What a guy. We’re still in contact. He keeps sending me texts congratulating me on winning trophies. That’s one of the funniest things he said. ‘Alistair, you’ve got to get in the gym so you can work on picking up the trophies.’ Fair enough, because he’s a big lad," Johnston said on Celtic TV.

 - Festus Chuma 

YOUNG AFRICANS PART WAYS WITH HARAMBEE STARS GOALKEEPER FAROUK SIKHALO

 

JERSEY NUMBER 25 FOR KENYAN INTERNATIONAL AYUB MASIKA | READING FC

The Royals have confirmed the number of the jersey of the new Harambee Stars signing as 25 ahead of his debut...