Benni McCarthy: South Africa would have gone further at World Cup under Pitso Mosimane

Kenya coach and former Bafana Bafana striker Benni McCarthy believes South Africa could have progressed beyond the last 32 at the recent World Cup if Pitso Mosimane had been in charge.

McCarthy’s Kenya side will face Bafana Bafana in Group D of the qualifiers for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday at 6pm. Ahead of that meeting, he contrasted the freedom he sees in the current South Africa team with the tension he felt among players during Hugo Broos’ time as manager.

“Local is lekker, you can see the players play with freedom. There is a lot of excitement and joy in the camp, and they have a coach who understands them now,” McCarthy said of Mosimane’s tenure at Bafana.

The former South Africa international said Mosimane had a strong understanding of both the players and the country’s football culture.

“A coach that understands the culture and what it means to bleed South African. And it’s amazing to see, and if only we had this at the World Cup, I think South Africa would have done a little better than they did.

“I am not criticising or saying anything bad about what the previous coach has done, but I just feel that when you watch Bafana now compared to then, there are so many players who were tense when they put on that Bafana jersey, with a bit of nervousness.

“But now, they play with so much freedom, and it’s great. As a South African, it’s fantastic to see what the players and your country are doing, and I really wish they have endless success under the leadership of coach Pitso.”

South Africa were knocked out by one of the World Cup hosts, Canada, in the last 32. They lost 1-0 in Los Angeles in June during the tournament, which was co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada.

Broos retired after the global tournament, creating the opportunity for Mosimane to begin a second spell in charge at Safa House.

McCarthy, who now manages Kenya, will return to face his former national team when the two sides meet in the Afcon qualifying group at Orlando Amstel Arena. His comments come as he prepares to oppose a Bafana Bafana team he believes is now showing greater confidence, enjoyment and connection with its coach.