Despite being South Africa's all-time leading goalscorer and a national football legend, McCarthy emphasised that his professional loyalty now belongs strictly to Kenya.
By Oliver Okingo
Head coach Benni McCarthy has stated that he will put his emotions aside when he leads Harambee Stars against his home country South Africa, in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers on Friday.
Despite being South Africa's all-time leading goalscorer and a national football legend, McCarthy emphasised that his professional loyalty now belongs strictly to Kenya.
“The emotions died the day I hanged up my boots, so now it's just memories for me. It was good memories, it was a good time. I'm not expecting people to applaud or cheer or whatever because what happened in the past happened in the past.
“Now I'm going to be facing their team, their players, and I'm on the opposite dugout. So, I'm not expecting, you know, anybody in the stadium tomorrow to cheer for me or for my team because we're going to be looking to beat their team,” said McCarthy in a press conference on Thursday.
The first leg will be played at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg today from 7PM with the return leg billed for Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi next Tuesday.
