Former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama believes Kenya’s co-hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) will mark a turning point for the country’s football, creating a lasting legacy that extends well beyond the tournament itself.
With exactly one year remaining before Kenya hosts Africa’s premier football competition alongside East African neighbours Uganda and Tanzania, Wanyama says the tournament presents a rare opportunity to grow the game, inspire the next generation of players, and place Kenyan football firmly on the continental and global map.
The 24-team tournament is scheduled to run from June 19 to July 17, 2027, and will be the first AFCON to be staged in East Africa in 51 years.
Speaking to CAFOnline.com, Wanyama expressed his excitement about Kenya’s role in hosting the prestigious competition.
“I am really excited to see Kenya host the AFCON because it is a huge opportunity for Kenyan football,” Wanyama said.
“It is a chance for the fans to see international stars right in their own backyard and, for anyone who loves football, this is a huge thing.”
Having captained Kenya during the 2019 AFCON in Egypt and enjoyed a distinguished club career in Europe, Wanyama understands the importance of competing on football’s biggest stages.
The 34-year-old believes playing on home soil will provide Harambee Stars with a unique platform to showcase their abilities before a continental and international audience.
“For the players, it is another opportunity to showcase their talent to the rest of the world,” he said.
“There’s a certain confidence that comes with playing at home, and this will give them a comfortable platform to express themselves. We will open up Kenyan football to the rest of the world, and this will be the beginning of our improvement.”
Wanyama also sees AFCON 2027 as an opportunity to change perceptions about Kenyan sport, which has long been synonymous with success in athletics.
“I am glad these players will get a chance we never had when we were playing,” he said.
“People mostly know Kenya for athletics, but now we have an opportunity to showcase our football and our talent.”
Beyond the action on the pitch, the former midfielder is optimistic that the tournament will leave behind critical infrastructure that will benefit sports development for years to come.
According to Wanyama, investments in stadiums, training facilities and transport networks will provide a stronger foundation for football and other sporting disciplines across the country.
“For a long time, sports in Kenya have suffered because there haven’t been enough facilities,” he explained.
“Hosting AFCON will improve our stadiums, road networks and training grounds. It will ensure we build world-class facilities that will continue to benefit the sport.”
Wanyama is also confident that Harambee Stars can take advantage of home support to produce their most successful AFCON campaign yet.
Kenya’s last appearance at the tournament came in 2019, where the team registered one victory before exiting in the group stage. However, the former captain believes the current squad has what it takes to make a deeper run.
“Hopefully the Kenyan national team can use the home advantage to make history,” he said.
“I am confident this team can do better than we did and reach the latter stages.”
Drawing from his recent experience as a CHAN 2024 ambassador, Wanyama said he has witnessed the excitement, opportunities and economic benefits that major football tournaments can bring.
He believes AFCON 2027 will have an even greater impact, helping to accelerate the growth of Kenyan football while leaving a lasting legacy for the country as preparations continue for Africa’s biggest football showpiece.
