Tusker FC head coach Julien Mette has challenged Benni McCarthy’s assessment of Kenya’s chances at the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, insisting that Harambee Stars must believe they can win the continental title rather than rule themselves out of contention.Download our Mozzart Sport App for more newsMcCarthy recently cast doubt on Kenya’s ability to compete for the trophy, citing a lack of resources and the gap between the national team and Africa’s established football powerhouses. Mette, however, believes that every team entering a competition must have the ambition to win it, regardless of the calibre of its opponents.##NAJAVA_MECA_10017427##The South African coach sparked debate with his assessment of Harambee Stars ahead of next year’s tournament, which Kenya will co-host with Uganda and Tanzania.While acknowledging the emergence of a new generation of Kenyan players, some of whom are based in Europe, McCarthy maintained that the team was not yet equipped to challenge the continent’s strongest sides.“Kenya doesn't have a long history in African football, where they've done well in previous AFCONs. But now we have a new generation of players, young players. Many of them play their football in Europe," McCarthy said in an interview in Rwanda.Aldrine Kibet's major stumbling block revealed by Celta head coachHe acknowledged the team’s gradual improvement but questioned whether it had the quality required to mount a serious challenge for the title.“So the team, the national team, is slowly but surely getting much better to a good level, and even if you were to pay me millions and millions of dollars to win AFCON. I don't think Kenya has the resources and the team strong enough to compete with Morocco, Egypt, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal. Those are powerhouses."Mette has now offered a contrasting view, arguing that the mentality of a team is just as important when approaching a major competition. The Tusker coach insists that Kenya must enter AFCON with the belief that winning the tournament is possible.Aldrine Kibet's major stumbling block revealed by Celta head coach"You are in a competition to win it," he stated."Even tomorrow if Kenya plays the World Cup, you have to think that you can win it, and tomorrow ifTusker plays the Champions League, you have to think that you can win it because that is the beauty of football."Mette added that the responsibility of coaches and players extends beyond results, stressing the need to restore enthusiasm and give supporters good football."We are here to entertain people; that is the basis. Before being coaches or players, we are football fans first and we support a team and good football, so now as coaches and players, we have to bring enthusiasm and mentality," he added.Will Murang'a Seal finally end wait for first league victory over Gor Mahia?The Tusker tactician also pointed to the disappointment among Kenyan fans in recent weeks, calling on those involved in the game to give supporters something to celebrate."Regarding the past weeks in Kenya, I think the Kenyan fans are a little disappointed for many reasons, and now it is time for good football."Kenya will co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, allowing Harambee Stars to compete on home soil as they seek to make their mark on the continent's biggest football stage.
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