Pitso Mosimane Leads Benni McCarthy 4-3 Ahead of Friday’s Bafana Bafana vs Kenya Clash

Pitso Mosimane holds a narrow 4-3 advantage over Benni McCarthy in their head-to-head record ahead of the upcoming meeting between South Africa and Kenya in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers. The two South African football figures are set to face each other in back-to-back matches, adding another chapter to their rivalry as coaches.

According to a report by KickOff, the upcoming fixtures will provide an opportunity for Mosimane and McCarthy to test their tactical approaches against each other as they lead different national teams. The matches have attracted attention because of their shared football history and the competitive records they bring into the encounter.

Mosimane, who returned to the Bafana Bafana coaching position in September 2026, has enjoyed an encouraging start to his latest spell in charge. South Africa defeated Guinea 2-1 before recording a convincing 5-0 victory over Eritrea in their opening AFCON qualifying matches. Bafana also secured a 1-0 friendly win over Egypt, giving the team additional confidence ahead of the Kenya fixtures.

The results have strengthened South Africa’s position in Group D, where the team are competing for a place at the 2027 AFCON finals. Although Kenya have already secured automatic qualification as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the Harambee Stars can still influence which other team advances from the group.

McCarthy, meanwhile, has the responsibility of preparing Kenya for the continental tournament on home soil. The former Bafana Bafana striker has taken charge of the Harambee Stars and will be eager to demonstrate his progress as a coach against his home country.

The upcoming matches will also present a tactical challenge for McCarthy, who knows South African football and its players well. His familiarity with Bafana could help Kenya identify areas to exploit, while Mosimane will need to prepare his squad for a determined opponent.

The first encounter is scheduled to take place in Johannesburg on Friday, November 13, 2026, before the teams meet again in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 17. The two fixtures will give both coaches an opportunity to make adjustments between matches and demonstrate their ability to respond to different challenges.

For Mosimane, the objective will be to maintain South Africa’s strong start and strengthen their position in the qualification race. McCarthy, on the other hand, will want Kenya to produce competitive performances and prevent Bafana from collecting maximum points.

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