Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has downplayed concerns following Kenya’s penalty shootout defeat to Estonia in the FIFA Series, insisting the performance reflected a team moving in the right direction.
Speaking after the closely contested encounter, McCarthy emphasized the level of opposition Kenya faced and the significance of matching them over the course of the game.
“Estonia is a team that played against Italy, faced Haaland with Norway, while we are a small African country. We are making progress in the right direction, and that is all I want for my team to be ready for the 2027 AFCON,” said McCarthy.
Despite the shootout heartbreak, the former Harambee Stars striker turned coach took positives from his side’s resilience and mentality.
“To lose on penalties shows that the effort, maturity and composure that the boys showed to compete was good,” he added.
McCarthy also pointed to a tale of two halves, noting early nerves before a dominant second-half display that underlined the team’s potential.
“I learnt that the team has good character and personality because in the first half, we were nervous, but in the second half, we showed that this is Africa and dominated. We just need to do that from the first whistle,” he stated.
Focus Shifts to AFCON 2027
With the Africa Cup of Nations 2027 on the horizon, McCarthy’s remarks signal a long-term vision centered on cohesion, experience, and tactical growth. The FIFA Series outing, while ending in defeat, appears to have offered valuable lessons as Kenya continues to rebuild and refine its squad.
The performance against a seasoned European side like Estonia will likely boost confidence within the camp, reinforcing belief that Harambee Stars can compete at higher levels if consistency improves.
As preparations continue, the focus will be on translating promising spells into complete performances, starting strong, maintaining intensity, and delivering results when it matters most.
