Benni McCarthy warns Bafana ahead of Kenya clash – ‘My country didn’t employ me’

Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has made it clear that professional duty will trump national pride when Kenya faces South Africa, in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

McCarthy, a South African football legend, is set to lead Kenya against Bafana Bafana in two crucial 2027 AFCON qualifying matches this November. The fixtures will pit him against his mentor, Pitso Mosimane, who now manages the South African side.

Despite his roots, McCarthy insists there will be no “love stories” on the pitch. He views the matches as a chance to prove his coaching prowess, particularly after being overlooked for the top job in his own country.

“My country didn’t employ me,” McCarthy stated to the media on Wednesday as quoted by Pulse Sports Kenya. “So why is my loyalty not with the country I was born in? The loyalty is to the team that believed in me, that gave me the opportunity, that thought I was the one that can help them move forward in the right direction. That’s where my loyalty lies.”

Benni on what makes Bafana favourites

While he was born in what he calls “a beautiful country,” his focus is now entirely on his role with Kenya.

While determined to showcase his tactical skills, McCarthy acknowledged the significant challenge Kenya faces. He pointed to the disparity in quality and ranking between the two nations.

“It’s gonna be difficult because South Africa has always been seen as a class A category,” he explained. “They are always in the pot with Morocco, Senegal, so they get good draws. Teams like Kenya are in the lower end, so that will be very difficult.”

However, McCarthy remains optimistic, drawing confidence from Harambee Stars’ recent performances. He highlighted their ability to secure upsets, such as their victories over Morocco and DR Congo during the CHAN 2024 tournament.

McCarthy’s cautious but hopeful outlook

“What we experienced in CHAN and World Cup qualifiers… we played teams like Ivory Coast, Gabon, in Burundi where it was very hostile and we held our own,” he added. “It was a valuable experience that we gained. It might not have been wins, but I think from where we started to where we finished, we have grown.”

Before the highly anticipated clashes with South Africa, Kenya will begin their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Eritrea on Saturday, followed by a match against Guinea next Wednesday.

The Harambee Stars will then travel to face Bafana Bafana on November 11 before hosting them in Nairobi four days later.