McCarthy says Bafana Bafana could have gone further under Mosimane

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

McCarthy will face Bafana when Kenya meet South Africa in Group D of next year’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday at 6pm. He says the current Bafana squad are showing far greater freedom under Mosimane than they did under former coach Hugo Broos.

Broos led South Africa at the World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada a few months ago, where Bafana reached the last 32. He retired after the tournament, paving the way for Mosimane to begin a second spell at Safa House.

“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 work with Bafana.

He believes that understanding extends beyond football and includes the cultural identity of the players.

“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.”

McCarthy said the difference in the team’s manner had been clear since Mosimane returned.

“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.”

At the World Cup, Bafana’s campaign ended in the last 32 against one of the host nations, Canada, with South Africa beating them 1-0 in Los Angeles in June.

McCarthy, who is now in charge of Kenya, will attempt to guide his side to a positive result when the teams meet in their Afcon qualifying fixture on Friday. The match will be played at Orlando Amstel Arena, with kick-off scheduled for 6pm.