Bafana Bafana will host Kenya in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto tonight. The match pits two of South Africa's greats against each other – Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane and his opposite number, Benni McCarthy. Mosimane is widely regarded as the country's most successful coach, having won the CAF Champions League three times. McCarthy, on the other hand, is arguably South Africa's most successful footballer, having scored a record 31 goals for Bafana Bafana.
Mosimane's impressive coaching career includes multiple PSL titles and establishing himself as one of the continent's most decorated coaches. He has won the CAF Champions League with Mamelodi Sundowns in 2016 and guided Egyptian giants Al Ahly to back-to-back triumphs in 2020 and 2021. McCarthy's playing career took him to several top European clubs, including Ajax, Celta Vigo, FC Porto, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United, and Orlando Pirates. His crowning moment came in 2004 when he became the first South African to win the Champions League with FC Porto under José Mourinho.
The two teams have different objectives for the match, with South Africa looking to maintain their pole position in Group D. The hosts have secured back-to-back victories over Guinea and Eritrea in their opening two matches. Four crucial fixtures remain: consecutive clashes against Kenya, followed by an away trip to Guinea and a home encounter with Eritrea in March. Kenya, co-hosting the finals alongside Uganda and Tanzania, needs to win the group outright or finish as runners-up to book a place in the tournament.
Mosimane is determined to keep his side in pole position until the very end. He acknowledges that Bafana are the team everyone wants to knock off their perch and warns against complacency. “The most important thing is that after matchday six, we must still be where we are right now. The other things don't matter,” Mosimane said. “We are there now, so it's in our hands to stay there. But it's still a long road to matchday six. We have to face Guinea away, plus the back-to-back games against Kenya.”
Mosimane rates the Harambee Stars highly, praising the work done by his compatriot McCarthy. Despite Kenya heading into the match as underdogs, Mosimane highlighted why underestimating them would be a mistake. “We've got to be very careful. Kenya only lost 1-0 away to Guinea,” Mosimane warned. “You give me the stats and facts, but you haven't mentioned the other stat – that they lost by just a single goal away to a full-strength Guinea side. So, we have to be careful.”
The qualification dynamics carry unique stakes, with only one non-host nation from the group able to book a place in the tournament. That team must either win the group outright or finish as runners-up behind the Harambee Stars. Sitting at the top of the table and three points clear of Guinea, Mosimane is focused on maintaining Bafana's position. The match against Kenya is a crucial step towards achieving that goal.
The match will be a significant test for both teams, with the winner likely to gain a significant advantage in the group. Bafana Bafana's home advantage could play a crucial role in the match, but Mosimane is wary of Kenya's abilities. The Harambee Stars have shown resilience in their matches, and Mosimane expects a tough contest. The match is set to kick off at 6 pm at the Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto.
Key points
- Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane warns against complacency ahead of the crucial AFCON 2027 qualifier against Kenya.
