Africa-Press – Kenya. Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy believes the upcoming Fifa Series in Kigali, Rwanda, will be a critical testing ground for his squad as Kenya prepares for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
Speaking on the sidelines of a SportPesa League fixture ptitting APS Bomet against Kenya Police FC at the Police Sacco grounds over the weekend, McCarthy said the Series provides a rare opportunity to evaluate players and strategies against international opposition.
“The Fifa Series gives our team a chance to compete against opponents from different continents in conditions that closely resemble what we will face at major tournaments,” McCarthy said.
“It is exactly the type of exposure our players need as we continue to grow and improve.”
He promised to name the Harambee Stars squad for the competition in the coming days.
“We are finalising our selections, but the focus is clear: we want a balanced team capable of learning, testing tactical plans and gaining invaluable international experience,” he said.
Harambee Stars will open their campaign against Estonia on March 27 at 6 pm at Amahoro Stadium. The result of that match will determine their next opponent — either Rwanda or Grenada.
Under the tournament format, winners of the opening fixtures will meet in the final, while the losing sides will play in a consolation match on March 30. The third-place match is scheduled for 6 pm, with the final set for 9 pm.
McCarthy said the Series will be valuable in building team cohesion, professionalism and adaptability on and off the pitch.
“These tournaments are not just about what happens during the 90 minutes,” he said. “Competing against teams with different styles, strengths and football cultures challenges us to adapt and respond in ways we don’t see in domestic competition.”
The Fifa Series is designed to provide competitive friendlies in a controlled but challenging environment. Although technically non-competitive, participating member associations can choose between a semifinal-and-final format or pre-arranged fixtures.
Any match ending in a draw goes straight to a penalty shootout, with no extra time, ensuring clear outcomes. Fifa has endorsed this participant-led approach as a way to enhance competitiveness, engage fans and provide meaningful international experience for all teams.
All matches will be broadcast globally, raising the visibility of the participating nations and allowing football fans worldwide to follow the tournament.
The Series brings together teams from multiple confederations, ranging from established sides to emerging nations, reflecting Fifa’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable football development.
The Rwanda ‘B’ edition of the Series will feature Aruba, Liechtenstein, Macau and Tanzania, while the Kazakhstan Series in Astana on March 25 and 28 will include hosts Kazakhstan, Comoros, Kuwait and Namibia.
McCarthy framed Kenya’s participation as part of a broader strategy to prepare for AFCON 2027.
“We are focused on building Harambee Stars in a way that allows us to measure progress and identify areas for improvement,” he said. “Every match is an opportunity to test our tactics, integrate new players and strengthen our squad for the challenges ahead.”
He also highlighted the importance of giving young players exposure to high-level competition.
“We look forward to using this platform to test ourselves, gain valuable experience and continue building the team in the right direction,” McCarthy said. “Our goal is to ensure Harambee Stars are competitive when it matters most.”
As Harambee Stars prepare for the March fixtures, McCarthy stressed that the Fifa Series is a key step in a long-term development plan.
“We want to make sure every opportunity is maximised and that the players come away from these matches better prepared for AFCON and beyond,” he said.
