Bafana Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane has played down suggestions that Benni McCarthy could enjoy a significant tactical advantage because of his previous experience working with South African players ahead of the upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Kenya.

The two respected South African football personalities are preparing to face each other in an intriguing international contest this month. Mosimane will lead Bafana Bafana, while McCarthy is in charge of Kenya's national team, the Harambee Stars.

The first meeting is scheduled for 13 November at Orlando Amstel Arena, with the return fixture set to take place in Nairobi on 17 November.

The upcoming matches have attracted considerable interest because of the professional relationship between the two coaches. Mosimane previously worked alongside McCarthy during his first spell with Bafana Bafana, while their coaching careers have also crossed paths at club level.

However, Mosimane does not believe that knowing McCarthy's football philosophy automatically gives him an advantage over the Kenyan coach.

The experienced tactician explained that familiarity with an opponent can help coaches identify certain patterns and understand what their rivals are likely to do during a match. Nevertheless, having that information does not necessarily mean a team will be able to stop its opponent.

Mosimane reportedly explained that understanding how McCarthy approaches football only provides additional information rather than a guaranteed tactical advantage.

He also referred to the modern game, arguing that football has become so heavily analysed that coaches can study their opponents extensively before matches. Despite this preparation, executing a plan and stopping an opponent on the field remain completely different challenges.

Using Orlando Pirates as an example, Mosimane suggested that teams can spend considerable time analysing the Buccaneers before facing them but may still struggle when they arrive at Orlando Amstel Arena.

His comments highlight the importance of performance, discipline and adaptability rather than relying entirely on tactical knowledge.

Meanwhile, Bafana Bafana will enter the November international window with confidence after making a strong start to their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign. South Africa currently lead Group D after winning their opening two matches against Guinea and Eritrea.

Mosimane has also selected a 27-man squad for the upcoming double-header. Among the notable inclusions are the returning Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Lyle Foster, while Mamelodi Sundowns youngster Siyanda Ndlovu has earned an opportunity following his impressive performances.

Several established international players have also been included, with Mamelodi Sundowns contributing a significant number of players to the squad.

On the other side, McCarthy will be looking to make a positive impression with Kenya. Although the Harambee Stars have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts, the former Bafana Bafana striker reportedly wants his team to approach the matches with ambition and compete for positive results.

The upcoming encounters therefore present an interesting challenge for both coaches, who understand each other's football backgrounds and philosophies.

While Mosimane has experience working with McCarthy, the South African coach knows that familiarity alone will not guarantee victory. Ultimately, the results will depend on how well both teams execute their strategies, respond to pressure and perform when the matches get underway.

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