Benni McCarthy Fires Warning To Bafana Ahead Of Kenya Showdown

Harambee Stars boss has called Kenya vs South Africa a David vs Goliath battle

Benni McCarthy previews Kenya vs South Africa in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, calling it David vs Goliath and warning Bafana to sweat.

“It’s David versus Goliath” Benni McCarthy previews Kenya vs South Africa battle...

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has previewed his return to South Africa to face Bafana Bafana in the opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday.

The fixture holds huge significance for McCarthy, who will be back on home soil for the first time to face the national team he once represented before retiring from international football.

With 31 goals in 79 appearances, McCarthy is still South Africa’s record scorer. His international career began in 1997, when he came on for the last 18 minutes of a 2-0 friendly loss to the Netherlands.

That debut made him the third-youngest player ever to wear the Bafana Bafana shirt at the time. He then announced himself at the Africa Cup of Nations against Angola, becoming the youngest South African to play at the finals.

“I always just tried to give my best and stay true to myself. Go out there and try and play the best way that I can, that can make it difficult for whoever you’re up against, and sometimes we were fortunate,” said McCarthy.

“Against South Africa is another one of those cases. It’s David versus Goliath, and unfortunately, I seem to always be David, I’m never Goliath.

“It will be another battle. I think technically, I’ve got a strong team. I’ve got a good team. And if we get things right, I think we can give them a run for their money.”

Kenya opened their qualifying campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Eritrea, before suffering a 1-0 defeat away to Guinea. South Africa, by contrast, have taken maximum points from their first two matches.

Bafana Bafana started with a 2-1 win over Guinea, then produced a dominant display to thrash Eritrea 5-0 and stay firmly on track to qualify for the tournament in East Africa.

McCarthy wants to make Bafana sweat

McCarthy added: “Let Bafana Bafana sweat a little bit, let them sweat because we lost against Guinea (in the previous round) and we drew with Eritrea.”

“So, it looks like a walk in the park, but I think the performance, the attitude and mentality of the players will show tomorrow and we can build for AFCON next year.”

On returning to South Africa to face his former national team, McCarthy responded: “The emotions died the day I hung up my boots, so now it’s just memories for me.

“It was good memories; it was a good time. I’m not expecting people to applaud or cheer or whatever because what happened in the past happened in the past.

“Now I’m going to be facing their team, their players, and I’m in the opposite dugout. So, I’m not expecting, you know, anybody in the stadium tomorrow (Friday) to cheer for me or for my team because we’re going to be looking to beat their team.”

McCarthy also urged his Harambee Stars players to seize the occasion and deliver strong performances with AFCON 2027 fast approaching.

“For us because we’re going to be there in the AFCON irrespective of the result, but maybe not for every player,” offered McCarthy.

“So, if you don’t perform, if you don’t show what you’ve got, you’re not guaranteed that you’re going to have a place in the squad.

“So, everybody knows whoever gets selected, whoever gets an opportunity, they’ve got to give the best of themselves because you’re only as good as your last game.”

Matchday! 🆚 South Africa ⌚️ 7PM EAT 🏟️ Orlando Stadium 🏆 2027 AFCON Qualifiers #HarambeeStars https://t.co/BoOUc2NzFI

— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) November 13, 2026

The former Manchester United assistant coach concluded: “You remember the wonderful performances and those performances at the end of the day when you come to selecting, as for a coach, you look at the players that stood tall and the players that performed and the players that fought and gave everything.”

Tusker striker Ryan Ogam said: “South Africa have good players and will enjoy home advantage, but we should not fear them.

“We also have quality in our squad, and we must travel there ready to compete. We cannot go to Johannesburg and sit back. We must take the game to them, fight for every ball, and show that we can match them.”

Where a group contains a host nation, just the best-placed team besides the host will go through, whereas the top two finishers in the remaining groups will progress to the finals.

The qualifying campaign will end with matchdays five and six in March 2027, when the last places at Africa’s biggest football tournament will be confirmed.