Why Harambee Stars must start preparing for Afcon 2027

Harambee Stars' dream of playing at the 2026 Fifa World Cup is officially over, but the story of Kenyan football is being reborn anew.

Instead, the disappointment of the qualifiers should mark the beginning of a new journey-one that looks ahead to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be hosted on home soil, and the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.

Kenya's campaign in the 2026 World Cup ended in heartbreak after a 3-1 loss to Gambia confirmed their exit last week. Despite redeeming themselves with a 5-0 win over Seychelles on Tuesday, the damage was already done as Kenya played only for pride.

With two matches left against Burundi and Ivory Coast, the team sits fifth in Group F with nine points, far behind leaders Ivory Coast who are top with 20 points.

Gabon (19), Gambia (10), and Burundi (10) are also ahead, while Seychelles remain bottom without a point.

Despite flashes of promise, the Harambee Stars again fell short of reaching football's biggest stage.

This is not new. In the 2022 qualifiers, Kenya also struggled, finishing third in their group behind Mali and Uganda.

The script has repeated itself too many times, and the painful reality is that unless things change, the dream of playing at the World Cup will continue to be just that-a dream.

But amid the gloom, there was a different story earlier this year.

Kenya's debut at the African Nations Championship (Chan) gave fans a reason to smile. Drawn in a tough group that had Morocco, Zambia, DR Congo, and Angola, the Stars defied all odds and finished top of their pool.

They beat DR Congo and Morocco, drew with Angola, and sealed their quarterfinal place with victory over Zambia. The team was unbeaten but bowed out in the quarterfinals after losing to Madagascar through a penalty shootout.

The contrast between the Chan's performance and the World Cup qualifiers is striking.

At Chan, the players had ample time in camp to prepare, train together, and build chemistry. The result was a well-drilled team that fought as one unit and played with confidence.

In the World Cup qualifiers, however, the squad often came together only days before crucial matches. While the likes of captain Michael Olunga lead a legion of international players, the lack of preparation time was clear.

Head coach Benni McCarthy, who took charge of the team in March, has been quick to highlight this difference. Speaking after the Chan exit, he pointed out that Kenyan football is on the right path if the right structures are put in place.

"These boys showed character, belief, and discipline," McCarthy said. "If we can give our national team the same kind of preparation time and exposure, then the future is very bright."

That is why the time to prepare for the next challenges is now. Kenya will co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations together with Tanzania and Uganda.

That tournament will be historic, not only because it brings the biggest football event in Africa home, but because it gives Harambee Stars the chance to finally shine in front of their own fans. To waste this opportunity by failing to prepare would be unforgivable.

Equally, the 2030 World Cup may seem far away, but the foundations must be laid early. Football success does not happen by accident; it comes from years of planning, investment, and consistency.

Countries that dominate today, such as Ivory Coast, Senegal, and Morocco, built strong structures and nurtured talent long before their breakthrough moments. Kenya must follow the same path.

Part of the solution lies in organising more competitive friendly matches. Too often, Harambee Stars play against weaker teams or go months without any international action.

During Chan, Kenya faced Morocco, DR Congo, and Angola-teams that regularly feature at Afcon and World Cup qualifiers. That experience gave the players confidence and showed them the level required to succeed.

Friendlies against strong opponents will expose weaknesses, build resilience, and help the team adapt to different styles of play.

Another key issue is the release of players for national duty. While it may be difficult to have international stars available weeks before matches, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) must create a system that allows extended camps, especially before major tournaments.

Investing in training facilities, sports science, and coaching staff will also go a long way in closing the gap between Kenya and Africa's football giants.

The Harambee Stars also need to blend the energy of local-based players, who impressed at Chan, with the experience of internationals.

Young talents such as Ryan Ogam and Austine Odhiambo proved they can deliver on the big stage, while veterans like Olunga provide leadership and quality.

Building a balanced squad over the next two years will be vital for both Afcon 2027 and the long road to World Cup 2030.

The heartbreak of the past qualifiers should serve as a lesson. Kenya cannot continue to wait until a month before a tournament to start serious preparations.

The players, coaches, and the federation must now work together with one clear vision: to make the Harambee Stars competitive on the continental and global stage.

The journey will not be easy, but the Chan campaign has shown it is possible. Kenya can go toe-to-toe with Africa's best if given the right platform.