Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has assured that his team will give no special treatment to Pitso Mosimane's Bafana Bafana when the two teams face off in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. McCarthy, a South African football legend, expressed his delight for Mosimane's appointment as Bafana Bafana head coach but warned that sentiment will not play a role in the upcoming matches. The two teams are set to clash in November, with Kenya having already secured automatic qualification as co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON.
McCarthy had faced criticism for not publicly congratulating Mosimane on his appointment, but he cleared the air in an interview with Dollar TV. He revealed that he was not surprised by the congratulatory messages pouring in for Mosimane, saying that he too had not received congratulations when he took over as Kenya coach. McCarthy emphasized that he is happy for Mosimane and looks forward to a respectful encounter between the two teams.
Despite the friendly relationship between McCarthy and Mosimane, who have known each other since their playing days, the Kenya coach insisted that his focus is on his current employers. McCarthy, who was born in South Africa, stressed that his loyalty lies with the team that appointed him, and he will not be swayed by his roots. He expressed his gratitude to Kenya for believing in him and giving him the opportunity to lead the national team.
Mosimane's appointment as Bafana Bafana head coach has generated significant excitement in South Africa, with many expecting him to build on the foundation laid by Hugo Broos. The 62-year-old coach had previously led Bafana Bafana 14 years ago but returns to the helm with high expectations. McCarthy, however, remains focused on his own team's goals and warned that Kenya will not take their foot off the gas despite having already secured qualification.
The upcoming matches between Kenya and South Africa will be significant for both teams, with Bafana Bafana needing to navigate the qualification route on merit. McCarthy emphasized that his team will approach the matches with the utmost respect for their opponents but will not give them any favours. He expressed his admiration for Mosimane as a coach and a person, saying that the two have a long history of competing against each other.
McCarthy's comments have set the tone for an intense and respectful encounter between the two teams. The Kenya coach has urged his players to focus on their own performance and not be influenced by the occasion. With the 2027 AFCON qualifiers just around the corner, fans can expect an exciting and competitive match between Harambee Stars and Bafana Bafana.
As the two teams prepare to face off in November, McCarthy remains confident in his team's abilities and is looking forward to a fierce contest. He emphasized that his team's loyalty lies with Kenya and that they will give their all to achieve their goals. The matches between Kenya and South Africa are expected to be highly anticipated, with both teams eager to make a statement in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Key points
- Benni McCarthy promises to give no favours to Pitso Mosimane's Bafana Bafana in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
