McCarthy promises tough test for Bafana Bafana despite Kenya loyalties

Kenya coach Benni McCarthy says he still wants the best for South Africa but will offer Bafana Bafana “no free pass” when the two sides meet in an AFCON qualifier at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday.

The match, which kicks off at 6pm, is the first of two Group D meetings between the teams. They will face each other again at Nyawo National Stadium in Nairobi next Tuesday, with that game also starting at 6pm South Africa time.

McCarthy is South Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer and previously coached Cape Town City and AmaZulu in the PSL. He acknowledged that taking charge of the opposition against Bafana Bafana had left him with conflicting emotions.

“Now I am on the other side of the dugout and I am against everything that I’ve helped build to where it is now, so yeah, it’s a little bit mixed emotions,” McCarthy told SportyTV.

“It’s a proud moment, because I am still representing my country even though I am the head coach for the opposition team … I want the best for my country but I am definitely not going to make it easy for them.”

McCarthy will also return to Orlando Stadium, where he played for Orlando Pirates during the latter stages of his career. He said the venue and its supporters would make the occasion particularly emotional.

“[I have] mixed emotions, to be honest, because I go home to where my roots are. I go home to a place I called home once upon a time, Orlando Stadium. I go home to adoring fans that always cheered, always supported, no matter what, and I have always had unbelievable moments in front of them,” he said.

Bafana Bafana began their qualifying campaign with victories over Guinea and Eritrea last month. Those results have left them top of Group D as they seek to reach next year’s AFCON finals.

Kenya, who are co-hosting the tournament with Tanzania and Uganda, have already secured qualification automatically as one of the host nations. As a result, only one team from Group D will qualify through the group standings.

That means Pitso Mosimane’s men must retain their position at the top of the section until the end of the qualifying campaign if they are to reach the finals in the Pamoja region.

McCarthy’s Kenya side will therefore be aiming to prevent Bafana Bafana from strengthening their position, despite the former South Africa striker’s enduring connection with the national team and Orlando Pirates supporters.