The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has released the draw for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, sparking excitement and debate across the continent.
Fans from Casablanca to Cape Town have shared reactions online, analysing their nations’ chances and predicting potential upsets in what promises to be a thrilling qualification campaign.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars have landed in Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea, a fascinating lineup that pits coach Benni McCarthy against his home country.
For McCarthy, a former Bafana Bafana striker, the fixture against South Africa will be deeply personal, blending professional ambition with national pride and emotional nostalgia.
Although Kenya automatically qualifies as a co-host with Uganda and Tanzania, the qualifiers remain vital for testing squad depth and building chemistry ahead of the continental showpiece.
Only one additional team will progress from Group D, making every match crucial for South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea as they chase the single available qualification spot.
Kenya’s preparations have faced scrutiny, with McCarthy criticised for his squad choices in the June friendlies against Kyrgyzstan and Palestine, particularly his selection of lower-tier players.
Fans and journalists questioned the inclusion of William Lenkupae, who has been clubless for nearly a year, as well as players from English football’s lower tiers. They urged the coach to favour local league stars instead.
Kenya Premier League standouts like Kelly Madada, Shariff Musa, Tyson Otieno and many others have impressed domestically, and many believe they deserve a chance on the international stage.
Matchdays one and two will run from September 21 to October 6, followed by November fixtures and the final rounds in March 2027.
The AFCON finals are scheduled for June 19 to July 17, 2027, across Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, marking East Africa’s first joint hosting of the tournament.
