AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Mosimane targets top spot as South Africa prepare for Kenya double-header

Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane says his priority is to ensure South Africa remain top of their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying group ahead of their double-header against Kenya.

South Africa will host Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, 13 November, before travelling to Kenya for the return fixture on Tuesday.

Asked about his points target for the two encounters, Mosimane stressed that maintaining their position at the summit of Group C is more important than the number of points they collect.

Bafana Bafana currently lead the group with six points from their opening two matches.

“The most important thing is that by Matchday 6, you must remain where you are now, at the top,” Mosimane said.

“The rest don’t count that much. What’s important is to stay there. We have an opportunity because we are there now.

“So, it’s in our hands to make sure that we stay there, but the road to travel to Matchday 6 is a long, long way.”

The South African coach, however, warned his players against underestimating Kenya, pointing to the Harambee Stars’ narrow defeat to Guinea as evidence of their competitiveness.

“There is going to be Guinea that we have to play away, and there are the back-to-back matches against Kenya. So, you need to be very careful because Kenya lost only 1-0 to a full-strength Guinea side in Guinea,” he added.

South Africa will be keen to consolidate their position at the top of Group C, with Mosimane aware that there is still a long way to go before the qualifying campaign reaches its conclusion.