Benni McCarthy’s role as Harambee Stars coach will take a surreal turn today as he faces his native South Africa in a tough 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers Group “D” match.
The encounter, which will mark the fifth meeting between the two sides in history, will take place at the 37,139-seater Orlando Stadium, in Johannesburg from 6pm local time (7pm Kenyan time).
Harambee Stars, ranked 114th in the world, will be aiming to secure their first ever victory over the “Bafana Bafana” and first in Group “D”.
Group leaders South Africa, ranked 48 in the world, will be chasing their third straight win even as they seek to maintain their dominance over Kenya.
McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time leading goal scorer with 31 goals in 81 appearances, will come up against Pitso Mosimane, who is also a former “Bafana Bafana” player.
But had things gone as he had desired, McCarthy, hired by Kenya on March 3, 2025, on a two-year contract, would have been the man sitting in South Africa’s dugout today.
In May, when it was confirmed that veteran Belgian coach Hugo Broos would step down as the “Bafana Bafana” coach after the 2026 World Cup, McCarthy is among several names that were mentioned as possible replacements.
Despite having a contract with Harambee Stars up to the 2027 Afcon finals, the former Manchester United striker coach didn’t shy away from declaring his interest for the job. “I think a lot of people will be interested in the job to coach Bafana. But if I’m asked, of course I would. It’s my country, it’s the national team,” McCarthy said in the April edition of KickOff Magazine.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy addresses a pre-match press conference in Nairobi on September 25, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
However, that was not the only time McCarthy’s loyalty to the Harambee Stars’ job had come under scrutiny.
On Several previous occasions, he had openly expressed his willingness to take up coaching roles outside Kenya, much to the chagrin of Harambee Stars fans.
In May 2026, the South African football legend told BBC Radio Lancashire said he would not think twice if English Championship team Blackburn Rovers approached him for the top job, noting that the club holds a special place in his heart.
Then, Blackburn were in the market for a new coach following the exit of Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neil. “I love Blackburn Rovers and I would put my life down that I would want that club to succeed so bad, to get them in the Premier League,” said the South African football legend.
“And maybe that’s what they need instead of always going for the tried and tested? The decision-makers are always there to make those hard decisions but if one day that call comes, I would be there in a heartbeat,” he added.
McCarthy turned out for Blackburn Rovers in the English Premier League between 2006 and 2010, scoring 52 goals in 140 games.
He has on several occasions expressed his interest in returning to club football, saying that it is more demanding than national team duty.
“The experience in Kenya has been unbelievable. It’s been remarkable, it’s been nice but I think I’m still young to go so long without being active. I want to be on the training pitch every day, smell the grass. I want to improve players,” he said in March.
In a recent interview with Sporty TV, the former striker didn’t shy away from expressing his frustration over the delays in payment of the allowance of Harambee Stars players’ as well as his salary and those of other members of the technical bench.
Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy during the team's training at Utalii Sports Club on September 1, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The former Orlando Pirates striker, who turned 49 yesterday, has been conspicuous in his absence at local league matches, and rarely spends time in Kenya.
Responding to that observation in September, McCarthy revealed that he was yet to be issued with a work permit.
On field matters, Kenya and South Africa first met in September 1996 in the Simba Cup in South Africa, the host winning by 1-0.
Their next clash was in October 2002 in the Castle Lager Cup in Tanzania, which ended 1-1-.
In February 2011, hosts South Africa thumped Kenya 2-0 in an international friendly match.
The two sides last met in October 2012, in an international friendly match won 2-1 by Bafana Bafana.
South Africa defeated Guinea 2-1 on September 26 before thrashing Eritrea 5-0 on September 30 to collect six points and move top of Group “D”.
Kenya, who have already qualified for the Afcon finals as a co-host, started the campaign with an uninspiring 1-1 draw against lowly Eritrea on September 26 before losing 1-0 to Guinea on October 1 in Conakry.
