After watching his Kenya side lose to Guinea, under-fire Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has warned Bafana Bafana that their AFCON qualifier return leg in Conakry will be far tougher than the first meeting.
Bafana Bafana got their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign off to a winning start as they defeated Guinea 2-1 in a Group D match at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
Goals from Ime Okon and Samukelo Kabini earned Bafana Bafana a hard-fought victory in Pitso Mosimane’s first match in his second tenure as permanent coach. The Syli National got on the score sheet via Seydouba Cisse.
Mosimane’s men went on to annihilate Eritrea 5-0 at the Al Salam Stadium in Cairo on Wednesday. The result was inspired by a brace from Relebohile Mofokeng, pushing Bafana Bafana to six points at the top of Group D. Sphephelo Sithole, Iqraam Rayners and Luther Singh added a goal each to seal the win.
THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BEAT BAFANA BAFANA SAYS MCCARTHY
However, despite the convincing wins, McCarthy believes Bafana Bafana will face a different challenge away from home. McCarthy made the remarks after watching his Harambee Stars fall 1-0 to Guinea at the Stade 28 Septembre in Conakry.
“I think their team [Guinea] is strong enough. I hope they learnt from their first match against Bafana Bafana. They lost but they didn’t disgrace themselves. They’ve got a very good team and Bafana have to come here to Guinea and it’s not going to be easy,” McCarthy said.
“And I think Guinea has what it takes to have a good game, to beat South Africa and it will be between those two. They are the strongest teams in the group. So if Guinea can return the favour by beating Bafana if they play them here [in Guinea], then they have a chance to qualify first.”
South Africa’s qualification journey will continue with a double-header against co-hosts Kenya. They will play away on 13 November 2026, before hosting the return leg on 17 November 2026.
Bafana will then finish their Group D campaign in March 2027, with a trip to Guinea on 26 March, followed by a final home game against Eritrea on 30 March.
Meanwhile, the former Manchester United striker’s coach McCarthy has come under pressure after Harambee Stars’ defeat to Guinea, with fans and former Kenyan footballers criticising him. His tenure has already drawn scrutiny over squad selection, and the latest result has intensified calls for a change in direction.
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