When Benni McCarthy steps out at Orlando Stadium on Friday night, the roar of the Soweto crowd won’t just be greeting a visiting manager—it will be welcoming back South Africa’s all-time record goalscorer. As Harambee Stars hunt for a historic first-ever victory over Bafana Bafana, the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) Group D showdown is far more than a routine qualifier: it is a complex intersection of national pride, tactical pressure, and divided loyalties.
The match brings together high-stakes football, a tactical chess match, and an emotional homecoming for Kenya’s manager. It also comes amidst a bitter off-field standoff over unpaid salaries between McCarthy and Football Kenya Federation (FKF). It is reported that the coach has not been paid for two months.
The match will have special significance for McCarthy, as he will be facing his home country for the first time in his role as Kenya’s head coach. He remains South Africa’s all-time leading scorer, having netted 31 goals in 81 appearances for Bafana Bafana before retiring on June 26, 2013, aged 35.
The former striker won the UEFA Champions League with Porto and later joined Manchester United’s coaching staff, working with Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. South Africa are in commanding form going into the match, having won their opening two group games. Bafana Bafana defeated Guinea 2–1 on September 26 before thrashing Eritrea 5–0 on September 30 to collect six points and move to the top of Group D.
Kenya, like Tanzania and Uganda, are participating in the qualifiers even though they have already secured their places in the finals as hosts. Why is this so? Host nations participate in qualifying matches to stay competitively sharp and maintain match fitness ahead of a major tournament.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy during the team's training session at Nyayo National Stadium on July 23, 2025
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
While the rules vary, most host countries have an automatic place in the final tournament and cannot be eliminated through qualifiers. Qualifiers keep the team tested against real pressure. The three East African countries will co-host the tournament scheduled for June 19 to July 17 next year.
Host nations risk missing out on competitive, high-stakes matches in the official calendar if they do not take part in the qualifiers. The qualifiers help them to replace low-stakes friendlies.
Meanwhile, Kenya have four points from their opening two matches. They drew 1–1 with Eritrea on September 26 before beating Guinea 1–0 on October 1.
The difference in Fifa rankings also highlights the challenges facing McCarthy’s team. South Africa is ranked 48th in the world, while Kenya is ranked 114th.
The two countries have met twice in international friendlies, with South Africa winning both matches. In the February 9, 2011 match, Bafana won 2–0 at home. South Africa would beat Kenya 2–1 in another friendly in Nairobi October 16, 2012.
Even then, South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane has warned his players against underestimating a Kenyan side that will be motivated to cause an upset.
On Monday, Mosimane cautioned that teams playing under pressure can be particularly dangerous, especially when their coaches’ futures are at stake.
Kenya coach Benni McCarthy juggles the ball as he conducts a training session at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi on October 6, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“If a player or a coach’s future depends on a game, you’ve got to be very careful because sometimes the players will play for him, and you could be in for a big surprise,” he said. “So be very careful when playing an emotional team, especially when they have nothing to lose.”
Mosimane also urged his players to respect McCarthy’s experience and achievements as a footballer and coach. “You’ve also got to respect the fact that Benni is a good coach. He was coach at Manchester United — a dream job for any coach in South Africa. He coached Ronaldo, excuse me.”
Meanwhile, McCarthy has threatened to seek intervention from Fifa and Caf over salary arrears dispute.
He first raised concerns over delayed payments in September and says that the continued failure to pay members of the technical bench could leave him with no option but to escalate the matter to the two bodies.
“Most of the players got their allowances because enough pressure was put on the federation and the ministry to honour their commitments. However, the coaching and technical staff are still waiting,” McCarthy told Sporty TV.
But McCarthy said the dispute will not distract him or his players from their assignment against his country of birth.
“My job is to leave Kenya in a better position than I found it. I strive for that,” he said.
