AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Kenya coach Benni McCarthy warns of challenges ahead of South Africa ties

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy says his side face a difficult task preparing for their upcoming back-to-back 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against South Africa.

The Harambee Stars will meet Bafana Bafana in the next international window, with the two matches set to be closely watched because both teams are coached by South Africans.

Kenya are one of the three co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON alongside Tanzania and Uganda and have already secured their place at the tournament.

McCarthy’s side are in Group D with South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea and currently sit third with one point from their opening two matches.

Kenya drew 1-1 with Eritrea before losing 2-1 away to Guinea.

However, McCarthy says preparations have been hampered by a number of challenges, including the delayed start of Kenya’s domestic league.

The former South Africa international believes the lack of competitive football for locally based players makes it difficult for him to compete with nations whose players are active in established leagues.

“You know, if people are expecting me to beat Bafana, Morocco and Senegal, it is very hard – almost impossible – because of the players those countries have and the leagues they play in compared with the players we have in Kenya,” McCarthy told reporters.

“Not everybody plays in Europe, so a lot of our players come from the local leagues in Kenya.

“People are calling for Kenyan players, but the league has not even started. None of the players in Kenya have played a single league match, so how do you select players who have not even played?

“The rest of the world’s competitions have already started. From the outside, it is always easy.

“Everybody on the outside is the best coach and the best player. But when you get a chance to be on this side, then you see how hard it is.”

McCarthy will now look to find solutions before Kenya face South Africa in two crucial encounters.

The matches will also see the former Manchester United and Blackburn Rovers striker come up against Pitso Mosimane, who is in charge of Bafana Bafana.