'Kenya must back Benni McCarthy to avoid AFCON 2027 embarrassment' - Victor Wanyama warns

Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama has called on the Kenyan government to ensure head coach Benni McCarthy and the national team receive adequate support ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).

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The ex-skipper warned that poor preparations could leave the country facing embarrassment on home soil.

Kenya will co-host the continental showpiece alongside Uganda and Tanzania, with expectations already mounting that Harambee Stars should produce one of their best performances in the tournament's history.

Having failed to progress beyond the group stage in each of their previous six AFCON appearances, there is growing belief that the national team should at least reach the knockout rounds, with some fans even hoping for a place in the quarter-finals or semi-finals.

However, Wanyama believes such ambitions can only be achieved if the team is given enough time and resources to prepare for the tournament.

"I just wish that the management would support the coach to have good preparations, because you have seen the World Cup," Wanyama told Sporty FM.

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"Almost all 10 teams that have been to the World Cup will be here for the Africa Cup of Nations, and they are no joke; they are high-level teams. So, to compete with those types of teams, we need very good preparation. So hopefully, our government will help to get our boys prepared."

The former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder's concerns come after African nations impressed at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, underlining the growing competitiveness of football on the continent.

Nine of Africa's 10 representatives advanced to the knockout stage, with several teams delivering outstanding performances against some of the world's biggest football nations.

Morocco booked a place in the quarter-finals emphatically after a commanding 3-0 victory over Canada.

Meanwhile, Egypt came agonizingly close to pulling off one of the tournament's biggest upsets after taking a 2-0 lead against Argentina before conceding three goals in the final 11 minutes to lose 3-2.

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Other African nations, including Senegal, DR Congo, Ivory Coast, South Africa, and Cape Verde, also showed their quality despite narrowly missing out on deeper runs after conceding late equalizers or winners in crucial matches.

Wanyama believes those performances should serve as a wake-up call for Kenya, insisting Harambee Stars will face elite opposition when Africa's best teams converge in East Africa for AFCON 2027.

With McCarthy still laying the foundation for his squad, Wanyama says comprehensive preparations, including quality international friendlies, extended training camps, and proper financial backing, will be essential if Kenya are to compete with the continent's top sides.