Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy says he will set his emotions aside when Kenya face his home country in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The Harambee Stars vs South Africa first leg is on Friday at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.
McCarthy is South Africa’s all-time leading goalscorer and a national football legend. Even so, he insists his loyalty now belongs strictly to Kenya.
McCarthy: “The emotions died the day I hanged up my boots”
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, McCarthy said his playing days are now only memories.
“The emotions died the day I hanged 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 on the opposite dugout. So, I’m not expecting, you know, anybody in the stadium tomorrow to cheer for me or for my team because we’re going to be looking to beat their team,” he said.
Kenya’s AFCON place is secure, but players must earn theirs
Kenya qualify automatically for the tournament as co-hosts with Tanzania and Uganda. However, McCarthy warned that every player must still earn a spot in the squad.
“For us because we’re going to be there in the AFCON irrespective of the result, but maybe not for every player. 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.”
He added that he looks for players who “stood tall” and gave everything when choosing a squad.
McCarthy on Pitso Mosimane: “I’m never Goliath”
The former Manchester United first-team strikers coach said his past meetings with South Africa’s Pitso Mosimane have always been David versus Goliath contests. Friday will be no different, he said.
“Coach Pitso has always had the upper hand because he has always been at places that had the infrastructures and the best of everything.”
McCarthy said he has always tried to stay true to himself and play the best way he can. “Sometimes we were fortunate,” he said, “and on other occasions, we weren’t.” He then joked that he always seems to be David and never Goliath.
Group D: where Kenya and South Africa stand
South Africa top Group D on six points after beating Guinea and Eritrea in their opening two matches. Kenya have a single point from their September matches. As a result, Friday’s game in Johannesburg is a tough early test for Harambee Stars.
