McCarthy Takes Veiled Swipe at Broos, Says Bafana Free Under Mosimane
Benni McCarthy has used the mouse’s old trick of biting while soothing, criticising former Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos for stifling the players.
McCarthy will sit in the opposite dugout at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, but he cannot help admiring what Pitso Mosimane has done with the team he is about to face.
The Kenya coach has said the Bafana players looked tense and nervous under Broos, and that they now play with a joy he believes was missing at the World Cup.
“Local is lekker, you can see the players play with freedom,” McCarthy said. “There is a lot of excitement and joy in the camp, and they have a coach who understands them now.”
For McCarthy, the difference is cultural.
“A coach that understands the culture and what it means to be South African. And it’s amazing to see, and if only we had this at the World Cup, I think South Africa would have done a little better than they did.”
Bafana went out in the Round of 32 at the World Cup, suffering a defeat to co-hosts Canada.
McCarthy was careful to sound kind towards Broos, even as the comparison stung.
“I’m not criticising or saying anything bad about what the previous coach has done,” he added.
“But I just feel that when you watch Bafana now compared to then, there are so many players who were tense when they put on that Bafana jersey, with a bit of nervousness.
“But now, they play with so much freedom, and it’s great. As a South African, it’s fantastic to see what the players and your country are doing.
“And I really wish they have endless success under the leadership of coach Pitso.”
Mosimane took over in September 2026. His side opened Group D with a 2-1 win over Guinea and a 5-0 thrashing of Eritrea. McCarthy’s Kenya have already qualified as co-hosts of the tournament.
But they are still looking for their first win, after a defeat to Guinea and a stalemate with Eritrea.
The two meet at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday, at 6pm. They face each other again in the return leg on Tuesday, 17 November.
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