Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya believes Kenya should not settle for merely hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), insisting that Harambee Stars must have their sights set on lifting the continental trophy on home soil.Kenya will co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, marking the first time the three countries will stage the prestigious tournament. Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsWith the competition fast approaching, attention has shifted beyond infrastructure to ensuring Harambee Stars are adequately prepared to compete against Africa’s best.##NAJAVA_MECA_9907055##The government is undertaking major infrastructure projects ahead of the tournament, including the construction of Talanta Sports City, renovations at Kasarani Stadium, improvements to training facilities and upgrades to transport infrastructure.However, Mvurya says hosting responsibilities must be matched by an ambitious sporting plan, with the ministry already working on a separate roadmap aimed at preparing Harambee Stars for the tournament.“We have a separate plan to prepare the team. There is no need to host; then you lose,” Mvurya told the media.STARS ABROAD: Mixed results for Kenyans in England as Odada is substituted twiceThe CS says the government also intends to mobilise support from both the public and private sectors to rally behind the national team before and during the tournament.“So, we will also have a roadmap to prepare Harambee Stars, and we will be rallying all Kenyans both in the public and private sector to support our team and to profile our team before, within and also after AFCON".Mvurya further revealed that the ministry has tasked the football technical team with developing a strategy capable of guiding Kenya towards an unprecedented AFCON triumph.“We have another plan which we will share, but we have already asked the football technical team to give a roadmap on how they [Harambee Stars] can lift the cup.”Kimanzi explains why FKF allows coaches without CAF A licence to lead FKFPL clubsThe ambitious target places added responsibility on Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, who will be expected to assemble a competitive squad and develop a tactical approach capable of taking Kenya deep into the tournament.Kenya's recent experience of co-hosting the 2024 CHAN tournament, where Harambee Stars were eliminated by Madagascar in the quarter-finals following a penalty shootout, underlined the importance of preparation when competing on home soil.Former NSL MVP details plan to secure regular game time at Gor Mahia