Benni McCarthy says Bafana Bafana would have gone further under Pitso Mosimane

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

McCarthy’s Kenya side face Bafana Bafana in Group D of qualification for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday at 6pm. He says South Africa’s players are now performing with greater freedom under Mosimane than they did under Hugo Broos.

Broos led Bafana Bafana at the World Cup, which was co-hosted by the US, Mexico and Canada a few months ago. South Africa were knocked out by hosts Canada in the last 32, losing 1-0 in Los Angeles in June.

Speaking about Mosimane’s return to the national team, McCarthy said: “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.”

He added: “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.”

McCarthy was careful to stress that his comments were not intended as criticism of Broos, who retired after the World Cup. The Belgian’s departure created the opportunity for Mosimane to begin a second spell at Safa House.

“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,” McCarthy said.

“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.”

The meeting with Kenya in Orlando forms part of Group D’s qualification campaign for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations, with McCarthy facing the side for whom he made his name as a player.