Benni McCarthy says he has been the underdog against Pitso Mosimane his whole career. But today, he wants to finally slay the giant.

Their rivalry stretches from Cape Town City and AmaZulu to Mamelodi Sundowns, and it resumes at Orlando Amstel Arena in a 2027 AFCON qualifier between Bafana Bafana and McCarthy’s Kenya.

McCarthy was voted coach of the season in 2018/19 after finishing second behind Mosimane in the league. He says that was always the pattern.

“Coach Pitso has always had the upper hand,” said McCarthy speaking ahead of the game on Thursday.

“He’s always been at places that had greater infrastructure and the best of everything, and for me as a young coach I always tried to give my best in order to make it difficult for whoever we were up against, and sometimes we were fortunate to get good results.

“Tomorrow is another case of David vs Goliath, and unfortunately I always seem to be on the side of David.”

McCarthy is Bafana’s all-time leading scorer with 31 goals and the only South African to win the UEFA Champions League, with FC Porto. His love for his country is not in doubt, but he says emotions will not decide this game.

“The emotion died the day I decided to hang up my boots, now it’s just memories of a great time,” he added.

“I’m not expecting people to cheer for me because what happens in the past stays in the past. I’m now part of the opposition and we are looking to defeat the hosts.”

Kenya, one of the three co-hosts of the PAMOJA AFCON, have qualified automatically for the tournament for the first time in 52 years. Their Group D start has been poor, with a home draw against Eritrea and a narrow loss in Conakry to Guinea.

McCarthy insists his players still have to prove themselves. It has also been a tough week off the pitch.

McCarthy and his South African technical staff were reportedly owed salaries by the Kenyan government and the Kenyan Football Federation, however latest reports say the amounts have since been settled.

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