Benni McCarthy vows Kenya will challenge South Africa in AFCON qualifiers

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy says South Africa will receive no favours when the two countries meet in their back-to-back AFCON qualifiers.

Bafana Bafana will host Kenya at Orlando Stadium on Friday, 13 November, with the return fixture taking place in Nairobi four days later.

McCarthy, who represented South Africa and became a Bafana Bafana legend, acknowledged that the first match will carry a strong personal significance. It will be his return to Orlando Stadium, a venue where he enjoyed the support of the home supporters during his playing career.

However, the 48-year-old said those memories would not influence his approach as Kenya’s coach. Although Kenya have already qualified automatically as co-hosts, McCarthy insisted his team would compete fully against South Africa.

“Mixed emotions because I go home to where my roots are,” McCarthy said in an interview with Sporty TV.

“I go to a place that I once called a home once upon a time, Orlando Stadium. I go home to adoring fans that always cheered, supported me no matter what.

“I’ve always had unbelievable moments in front of them. Now, I’m on another side of the dugout. I’m against everything that I’ve helped build to where it is now.”

McCarthy said leading the opposition would create a complicated emotional situation, but added that he remained proud to be representing his country in a different role.

“While it’s mixed emotions, but it’s proud moments because I’m still representing my country even though I’m a head coach for the opposition team,” he said.

The former South Africa striker also made clear that his wish for Bafana Bafana’s success would not prevent him from pursuing a positive result for Kenya.

“But I’d want the very best for my country but I’ll definitely not make it easy for them as we are hosting the AFCON next,” McCarthy said.

“We’ll go out there and give everything we’ve got. We will try not make them comfortable and just hope for the best.”

The opening match in Johannesburg will therefore see McCarthy face the national team he once played for before the teams meet again in Nairobi four days later.