Benni McCarthy to sing South African anthem before Kenya face Bafana Bafana

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy says he will sing South Africa’s national anthem before Friday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, despite leading the opposition against his home country.

McCarthy, who celebrated his 49th birthday on Thursday, is South Africa’s all-time leading scorer, having scored 31 goals for the national team.

The match will see him return to Orlando Amstel Arena, where he played for the Buccaneers during the latter stages of his career. This time, however, McCarthy will occupy the visitors’ technical area as Kenya’s coach.

He told iDiski Times journalist Matshelana Mamabolo that his commitment to South Africa remained strong and that he would join in with the country’s anthem, “Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika”.

“I’m still a South African, and I have done a great deal for my country when it comes to football, so I will sing my national anthem,” McCarthy said in an exclusive interview.

The former Bafana Bafana striker acknowledged that facing South Africa would bring difficult emotions, but said his responsibility to Kenya would take priority once the match began.

“Eish, facing Bafana ain’t no easy task and all the emotions that come with it. It’s a mixed emotion feeling, to be honest. It’s my country and my first love that makes it ever so hard,” he said.

McCarthy added that his professional obligations meant he could not allow those feelings to affect his work with Kenya.

“But my professional duty is to the team and country I manage, so all the emotions go out the window. We will do our very best to maintain the utmost professionalism and give a good account of ourselves,” he said.

“I can’t be too emotionally invested because my job is to be the head coach for Kenya and I have to do anything possible to bring success and prosperity to the national team.”

Although he admitted that victory would be a significant achievement, McCarthy recognised the challenge posed by South Africa and their coach, Pitso.

“It’s our professional duty to do the very best we can to help our teams win. Victory would be amazing, but I know how difficult it will be, considering Bafana’s status in African football. Coach Pitso is a very respected coach and a friend,” he said.