Kenya automatically sealed their place in the 2027 edition to be co-hosted in East Africa alongside Uganda, and Tanzania. However, they will use the qualifiers as part of their preparations for the continental finals slated for June 19th to July 17th.
The matchday one of the AFCON qualifiers will start on Thursday, September 24th, as 48 nations begin the battle for 24 places in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
When is Kenya versus Eritrea and Guinea?
Harambee Stars will kick off their campaign at home against Eritrea on September 26th at Nyayo Stadium, before making the long trip to West Africa to face Guinea on October 1st at Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry.
Kenya were drawn into a competitive Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea for the 2027 qualifiers.
How can I watch Kenya's matches?
The first fixture against Eritrea will kick off at 1600hrs and will likely be streamed live by government-sponsored television Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC).
The game will also be live on Football Kenya Federation (FKF) social media accounts. Eritrea arrived in Kenya on Tuesday and has been training at Police Sacco Stadium ahead of the encounter.
Kenya should be wary of the Eritrean side, who defeated them 4-1 in the semi-finals of the CECAFA Challenge Cup in 2019.
The second game away against Guinea will commence at 1900hrs and will be live on FKF social media pages.
The last time Kenya played Guinea was in 2008 during a FIFA World Cup qualifier, a game the Syli National won 3-2. The previous encounter had seen Kenya secure a 2-0 victory in the same qualifiers, while in 2005, Guinea defeated Kenya 1-0.
Kenya team news
Kenya coach Benni McCarthy selected 24 players for the two matches, combining established internationals with a number of emerging players based both in Kenya and overseas.
Among those in the squad is lead striker Michael Olunga, who returned to the fold following a long injury lay off. Olunga’s return gives him an opportunity to chase for the all-time scoring record.
The Al-Arabi striker is joined by Gor Mahia pair Sharif Musa and Ben Stanley. There are also opportunities for several overseas-based forwards, including Job Ochieng of Real Sociedad, Ryan Ogam of RFC Liège and Micah Obiero of Carlisle United.
Mohammed Bajaber and Javan Ochieng complete McCarthy's attacking options. The selection gives the former South Africa international a broad range of options as he continues shaping the Harambee Stars ahead of the continental finals.
A total of 24 matches will be played across 12 groups between Thursday and Saturday, September 26th, marking the start of the group stage on the road to the 24-team finals in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda next year.
The 2027 edition of the tournament will be the first to be hosted by three countries, and the first in five decades to be organised in the CECAFA region, since it was hosted by Ethiopia in 1976.
The event will mark the Africa Cup of Nations’ 70th anniversary and will be the last held in odd-numbered years, as CAF announced in December 2025 that AFCON would become a Quadrennial tournament from 2028 onwards.
The top two teams in each group will qualify, except in Groups D, H and L, where Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania qualify automatically and only the highest-ranked team outside the respective host nation advances.
Kenya squad
Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Faruk Shikhalo (Nairobi United), Brian Bwire (Tusker).
Defenders: Michael Kibagwe (Gor Mahia), Rooney Onyango (Sogndal), Hannif Wesonga (Jamus), Stanley Wilson (AIK), Abud Omar (Tusker), Amos Wanjala (Valencia), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Vincent Harper (Exeter City).
Midfielders: Manzur Okwaro (Stade Reims), Timothy Ouma (Charlton Athletic), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Duke Abuya (Young Africans), Marvin Nabwire (Power Dynamos).
Forwards: Sharif Musa (Gor Mahia), Mohammed Bajaber (unattached), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Javan Ochieng (Hickory FC), Micah Obiero (Carlisle United), Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège), Michael Olunga (Al-Arabi).
