Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has admitted that Kenya will face a difficult task in their bid to compete for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) title.

McCarthy believes Kenya currently lack the resources and squad strength to compete with some of Africa’s established football powerhouses.

“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,” McCarthy said.

The former South Africa international also named Guinea among the teams with the quality to challenge at the continental level.

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“Those are powerhouses. Guinea can also, you know, you have fantastic players. Those are the powerhouses in African football,” he added.

McCarthy, however, acknowledged that Kenya winning the AFCON is not impossible, while stressing that it remains a highly difficult prospect.

“So for us to think that Kenya could win the AFCON is not impossible, but it's highly unlikely that we would win,”he added.

“Kenya Cannot Win AFCON Even If You Give Me Millions of Dollars,” — Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy. https://t.co/mASNyHHnS9

— The Kenyan Vigilante (@KenyanSays) October 8, 2026