Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette believes Kenya must approach the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with the ambition of winning the title, offering a contrasting outlook to Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy’s assessment of the national team’s chances.
Mette made the remarks in an interview with Moraa Times after Tusker’s 2-0 victory over Ulinzi Stars in their 2026/27 FKF Premier League opener.
“Even if tomorrow Kenya is playing the World Cup, you have to think that you can win it,” Mette said.
“And if tomorrow Tusker play the Champions League, you have to think that you can win it, because that’s the beauty of football.”
His comments come after McCarthy questioned whether Kenya has the resources and squad strength to compete with Africa’s leading nations at AFCON 2027.
The Harambee Stars coach cited Morocco, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal as examples of the continent’s established powers, arguing that Kenya does not yet have a team strong enough to compete with them.
McCarthy acknowledged that winning AFCON was not impossible but expressed doubts about Kenya’s chances against those established sides.
His assessment followed an international window in which Harambee Stars failed to win any of their three matches, drawing against Eritrea and Rwanda while losing to Guinea.
“Even if you were to pay me millions and millions of dollars to win AFCON, I don’t think Kenya has the resources and the team strong enough to compete with Morocco, Egypt, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal”
Also read: McCarthy Questions Referee After Guinea Hand Harambee Stars Defeat
Mette, however, stressed the importance of maintaining an optimistic mentality, saying coaches and players have a responsibility to inspire supporters.
“Before being a coach, before being a player, we are all fans. And we support teams, and we support players, and we support good football,” he said.
“So now that we are actors as coach and as player we have to bring enthusiasm, optimistic mentality to the fans.”
Kenya have already secured qualification for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
With their place at the tournament confirmed, Harambee Stars will now focus on building a competitive squad capable of making an impact on home soil.
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