Benni McCarthy Says Bafana Looked Nervous Under Broos, Then Wishes Pitso Mosimane Endless Success

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has praised the changes he has observed in Bafana Bafana under Pitso Mosimane, suggesting that South Africa’s players now appear more relaxed and confident than they did under former coach Hugo Broos.

McCarthy made the remarks ahead of Kenya’s meeting with South Africa in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Group D qualifying fixture at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, November 13.

The former Bafana Bafana striker, who is now responsible for coaching Kenya, will face his home country from the opposite dugout. Despite preparing to compete against Mosimane’s team, McCarthy expressed admiration for the atmosphere surrounding the current Bafana squad.

He believes Mosimane’s understanding of South African culture has helped create an environment in which players can express themselves more freely.

“Local is lekker, you can see the players play with freedom. There is a lot of excitement and joy in the camp, and they have a coach who understands them now,” McCarthy said.

He also suggested that South Africa might have achieved more at the 2026 FIFA World Cup if the team had displayed the same freedom during the tournament.

“A coach that understands the culture and what it means to be South African. And it’s amazing to see, and if only we had this at the World Cup, I think South Africa would have done a little better than they did,” he added.

Although McCarthy was careful not to directly condemn Broos, his comments highlighted a difference between the two coaching periods.

He explained that several players appeared tense and nervous whenever they wore the national team jersey under the previous leadership.

“I’m not criticising or saying anything bad about what the previous coach has done,” McCarthy clarified.

“But I just feel that when you watch Bafana now compared to then, there are so many players who were tense when they put on that Bafana jersey, with a bit of nervousness.”

Mosimane took charge of Bafana in September 2026 and has enjoyed a positive start, with South Africa defeating Guinea 2-1 and Eritrea 5-0 in their opening two Group D qualifiers.

Kenya, meanwhile, have already secured qualification for the tournament as co-hosts. However, McCarthy’s team are still searching for their first qualifying victory after losing to Guinea and drawing against Eritrea.

The two countries meet again in the return fixture on Tuesday, November 17, in Nairobi.

McCarthy concluded by wishing Bafana continued success under Mosimane, even as he prepares to lead Kenya against the team he once represented.

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