Benni McCarthy: “I’m Still a South African” – He Will Sing the National Anthem Against Bafana

Kenya coach Benni McCarthy has made it clear he will stand and sing the South African national anthem when his team faces Bafana Bafana on Friday. The former Bafana star said he remains a proud South African and has done a lot for the country in football, so he will join in with Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika before the kick-off at Orlando Amstel Arena.

McCarthy, who turned 49 this week, is Bafana’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals. On Friday he returns to the same stadium where he once played for Orlando Pirates, but this time he will be sitting on the opposite bench as Kenya’s head coach. He admitted the occasion brings mixed feelings.

“Eish, facing Bafana ain’t no easy task and all the emotions that come with it. It’s a mixed emotion feeling, to be honest. It’s my country and my first love that makes it ever so hard,” McCarthy told iDiski Times. He said the emotions must stay in the background once the match starts. His professional duty is to Kenya, and he wants his players to give a good account of themselves and try for a positive result.

“My professional duty is to the team and country I manage, so all the emotions go out the window. We will do our very best to maintain the utmost professionalism,” he added. He knows how strong Bafana are under Pitso Mosimane, who he called a respected coach and a friend. A win for Kenya would be special, but McCarthy understands it will be difficult against a Bafana side that has already won both its qualifying matches in Group D.

South Africa host Kenya in the first of two 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers on Friday, with the return fixture set for Nairobi on Monday. Kenya have already qualified for the tournament as co-hosts, but the matches still matter for ranking and form. For McCarthy, the fixture is both a homecoming and a professional test. He wants the best for his country, yet he has promised Kenya will not make it easy for Bafana.

The match at Orlando Amstel Arena is expected to draw a big crowd, with many South African fans curious to see how the popular former striker handles the emotional occasion from the dugout. McCarthy’s decision to sing the anthem has already sparked plenty of discussion among Bafana supporters ahead of the important qualifier.

Source: https://x.com/iDiskiTimes/status/2120846569746632804?a=H9dp3b1jlGP6KZsmDR0&s=19

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