South Africa head coach Pitso Mosimane has urged Bafana Bafana to approach their upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Kenya with caution, insisting that Benni McCarthy’s side should not be judged by their position in Group D.
The two nations meet in back-to-back qualifiers, with the first leg scheduled for Friday at Orlando Stadium before the return fixture in Nairobi.
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Kenya have collected just one point from their opening two matches and sit bottom of the group, while South Africa lead the standings with six points after winning both their opening fixtures.
However, Mosimane believes the circumstances surrounding McCarthy and his team make them dangerous opponents, particularly if the players are motivated to deliver a result for their coach.
“If a player or a coach’s future depends on a game, you’ve got to be very careful of that, because sometimes the players play for him and you can get the best surprise you can ever have,” Mosimane said during a press briefing on Monday.
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The 62-year-old also highlighted McCarthy’s winning mentality and coaching experience, calling for respect for the former South African international.
“Benni is a good coach,” Mosimane said, pointing to his experience working with Manchester United and coaching Cristiano Ronaldo.
He further noted that Kenya have several players based in different European leagues, warning Bafana against underestimating their opponents based on their current standings.
The double-header offers both teams an opportunity to strengthen their qualification ambitions, with Kenya seeking their first win while South Africa aim to maintain their perfect start.
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