Kenya — Eritrea: AFCON hosts begin qualifying campaign with a home test
On September 26, Kenya will face Eritrea at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium in the first round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. On paper, the fixture looks like a routine start to the qualifiers, but it has one important distinction: Kenya have already secured a guaranteed place in the finals as one of the host nations alongside Tanzania and Uganda. For the Harambee Stars, these matches are therefore primarily an opportunity to prepare for a home AFCON and give Benny McCarthy time to build a team for the tournament ahead.
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McCarthy has been handed a serious task: gradually establish the core of a national team capable of making a strong impression at a home African Championship. And the first challenge already looks intriguing. The final squad includes 24 players, combining established performers with young prospects. The headline news is the return of captain Michael Olunga. The Al-Arabi striker is back in contention for the national team after a lengthy absence and is, of course, Kenya’s main attacking weapon.
There are other interesting names in the squad too. The group includes Timothy Ouma of Charlton Athletic, Rooney Onyango of Sogndal, Stanley Wilson of AIK, Ryan Ogam of RFC Liège and Job Ochieng of Real Sociedad. However, goalkeeper Ian Otieno, who had been included in the preliminary list, was left out of the final squad. Overall, McCarthy is opting for a blend of players from the domestic league and those based abroad.
The situation is completely different for Eritrea. The team is returning to competitive action against serious opposition and has prepared thoroughly for the September international window. The federation announced an expanded group of 30 players, from which the coaching staff was expected to select the final squad. The team’s average age is approximately between 22 and 25, meaning the clear focus is on youth, energy and gradually refreshing the national side. Among the more experienced players are Tesfalidet Tekie, Nahom Natabaye and Ali Suleiman.
At the same time, Eritrea face a serious issue with their home fixtures: the match against Kenya will be played in Nairobi, while the next game against South Africa on September 30 will take place in Cairo. In practical terms, the Eritreans will have no home advantage.
The most interesting aspect of Group D is that Kenya and Eritrea are joined by South Africa and Guinea. These teams will fight for the only qualifying spot, since Kenya have already received automatic qualification. That makes every point especially valuable for Eritrea from the very start.
Kenya will surely look to seize the initiative immediately. The home crowd, a more experienced squad and Olunga’s presence up front give the hosts every reason to play on the front foot. Eritrea, by contrast, would be better served by relying on a compact defence, discipline and quick transitions. The visitors’ young squad can add pace, but withstanding the pressure throughout the entire match will be a difficult task.
So this is not merely a formal start to the qualifiers. For Kenya, it is another step in building a team ahead of a home AFCON, while for Eritrea it is a chance to make a statement in a group where every point will have to be fought for. The opening match in Nairobi could already reveal how ready both teams are for the challenge.
My prediction: Kenya to win.
