- South Africa head coach Pitso Mosimane wary of the threat posed by Harambee Stars.
- The two sides will meet this November in a double-header in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
- The first leg is scheduled for Friday, November 13, at Orlando Stadium, with the return fixture set for November 17 in Nairobi.
South Africa head coach Pitso Mosimane has warned his players against underestimating Kenya’s Harambee Stars when the two sides meet in a double-header in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Bafana Bafana will host Harambee Stars in the first leg at Orlando Stadium on November 13 before Kenya welcome them for the return fixture at Nyayo National Stadium on November 17.
With both sides now in camp and sharpening their preparations for this crucial Group D encounter, Mosimane is taking no chances when it comes to dismissing Kenya’s threat, despite the disparity in the FIFA rankings between the two nations.
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Mosimane warns South Africa against underestimating Harambee Stars
The former Mamelodi Sundowns tactician, who will be targeting maximum points after collecting six from the opening two encounters against Guinea and Eritrea, believes Kenya will be eager to deliver results and help safeguard Benni McCarthy’s job.
“If a player or a coach’s future depends on a game, you’ve got to be very, very careful of that because sometimes the players play for him and you can get the biggest surprise you can ever have,” Mosimane told the press during Monday’s training session.
“So be very careful of playing an emotional team, especially when they have nothing to lose.”
It will be a battle of national pride for South Africa as they face their former Bafana Bafana legend, McCarthy, whose pedigree is not lost on Mosimane.
The coach pointed to the former striker’s UEFA Champions League triumph and his spell on Manchester United’s coaching staff, where he worked alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.
“You’ve got to also respect that Benni is a good coach. Benni was coach at Manchester United, a dream that any coach in South Africa wished to have. You’ve got to respect the level at which he has coached, and you’ve got to respect the level at which he has played.”
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The gaffer has also highlighted the growing number of Kenyan internationals plying their trade in Europe, warning that Harambee Stars can no longer be judged on reputation alone.
He was referring to the likes of Stade de Reims centre-back Joseph Okumu, Real Sociedad winger Job Ochieng, Valencia’s Amos Wanjala and Aldrine Kibet, who plays for Celta Vigo.
Meanwhile, Mosimane, who has built a career on meticulous preparation, insists complacency has no place in his approach, having learned that lesson the hard way.
“Otherwise, I don’t live in the space of complacency because I’ve lost many, many games to teams that in my career were bottom of the log or so-called minnows, or no one ever saw them coming. So you’ve got to respect it.”
Kenya will be seeking their first win of the campaign after opening with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium before suffering a 1-0 defeat to Guinea in Conakry.
While South Africa will be looking to consolidate their position at the top of the group, Kenya, who have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts, will use the double-header to fine-tune their preparations for the continental showpiece.
ALSO READ: Benni McCarthy names Harambee Stars final squad for South Africa double-header
South Africa’s final squad to face Harambee Stars in AFCON Qualifiers
- Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss
- Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Ime Okon, Lebone Seema, Mbekezeli Mbokazi
- Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Thalente Mbatha, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel
- Forwards: Iqraam Rayners, Lyle Foster, Cassius Mailula, Oswin Appollis, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Relebohile Mofokeng, Luther Singh, Tshepang Moremi, Siyanda Ndlovu