By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South Africa will take on Kenya in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier on Friday, November 13, 2026, at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.
Bafana Bafana will then travel to face Benni McCarthy’s side in Nairobi on November 17.
Kenya have one point from their opening two AFCON qualifiers but it matters little as the Harambee Stars automatically qualify for next year’s finals as co-hosts with Uganda and Tanzania.
Kenya opened their AFCON campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Eritrea and followed that with a 1-0 loss away to Guinea.
“We must be very careful of playing a team with nothing to lose, they are in the finals,” Pitso Mosimane told journalists on Monday ahead of Bafana training at Milpark Stadium.
Mosimane also paid tribute to McCarthy, acknowledging his achievements as a player and his coaching experience,
“Benni has the character of a will to win and of fighting for his name,” said Mosimane.
“We have to respect that, he was a coach at Manchester United, he coached (Cristiano) Ronaldo. We have to respect the level he reached as a coach and a player.”
“None of us have won the Champions League (McCarthy won the Uefa Champions League as a player with Porto in 2004). You have to understand what kind of person we are talking about in terms of a personality to win at all costs.”
Kenya have players from Finland, Wales, Sweden, and France. There is no underestimating teams.
“We learned from Cape Verde at the World Cup that you must respect all teams until the final results.”
Mosimane’s campaign started with a 2-1 win over Guinea at home, before a 5-0 win away to Eritrea. This puts them at the summit of the pool with maximum points, followed by the National Elephants who are on three points, while Kenya and Eritrea have a point each.
Bafana Bafana squad
Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss
Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Ime Okon, Lebone Seema, Mbekezeli Mbokazi
Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Thalente Mbatha
Forwards: Cassius Mailula, Oswin Appollis, Tashreeq Matthews, Relebohile Mofokeng, Luther Singh, Lyle Foster, Tshepang Moremi.