McCarthy promises Bafana Bafana no easy ride in Kenya qualifier

Kenya coach Benni McCarthy says he still wants the best for South Africa, but will not give Bafana Bafana any favours when the teams meet in their Afcon qualifying double-header.

Bafana Bafana host Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday at 6pm, before the sides meet again at Nyawo National Stadium in Nairobi next Tuesday at 6pm South African time.

McCarthy is South Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer and admitted the fixture would bring conflicting emotions as he takes charge of the opposition.

“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.”

The former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach will also be returning to Orlando Stadium, where he played for Orlando Pirates towards the end of his career.

McCarthy said the prospect of facing Bafana Bafana at a venue with which he has a strong personal connection would make the occasion particularly difficult.

“[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,” he said.

“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.”

Bafana Bafana began their qualifying campaign with victories over Guinea and Eritrea last month, results which left them top of Group D in the race for next year’s Afcon.

Kenya, who are co-hosting the tournament with Tanzania and Uganda, have already qualified automatically as one of the host nations.

That means only one team will advance from Group D, leaving Pitso Mosimane’s side needing to retain first place through to the end of the qualifying campaign if they are to reach the finals in the Pamoja region.

McCarthy’s Kenya side will therefore be seeking to disrupt South Africa’s position when the two teams meet in Johannesburg before the return fixture in Nairobi.