Benni McCarthy believes Kenya can take advantage of South Africa’s transition under Pitso Mosimane when the two sides meet in back-to-back Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November.
McCarthy accepts Kenya will enter the fixtures as underdogs, but sees an opportunity against a Bafana Bafana side adapting to a new coach. Mosimane began his second spell in charge with a 2-1 victory over Guinea, while Kenya were held to a 1-1 draw by Eritrea.
“As good as they are, we have seen them at the World Cup, but whenever there’s a change of guard, it takes time for players to understand a new head coach,” McCarthy told Sporty TV, according to Pulse Sports Kenya.
“It takes time to understand his philosophy, how he plays and what he wants to achieve. So, maybe the change of coach could have come at a better time for us because it will take a couple of games for South Africa to play the way Pitso wants to play.”
READ: Pitso Mosimane praise as Bafana Bafana see off “very difficult” Guinea in AFCON qualifier
The former South Africa international, who has also coached Cape Town City, believes the timing of the managerial change could work in Kenya’s favour when the teams meet during the November international window.
South Africa’s victory over Guinea gave Mosimane a winning start to his second tenure, while Kenya’s draw left McCarthy demanding more from his side despite their status as co-hosts of the 2027 tournament.
Kenya are therefore already guaranteed a place at the finals, but McCarthy insists that will not alter their approach to qualifying.
“We are not qualified for me, and we are fighting for the number one or two spot in the group,” he said.
Before the November meetings with South Africa, Kenya face an away fixture against Guinea on Wednesday.
South Africa, meanwhile, travel to Egypt to play Eritrea before finishing the international break with a friendly against the Pharaohs.
The November double-header could therefore provide an intriguing test of Mosimane’s new-look Bafana side against a Kenya team whose coach believes the transition period presents an opportunity.