Picture: Bafana Bafana coach, Pitso Mosimane/Supplied
By STAFF REPORTER
13 November 2026 – Bafana Bafana are bracing for a potentially tricky evening when they host Kenya in an eagerly-anticipated 2027 Africa Cup of Nations group match at the Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday night. As South Africans count the hours ahead of the potentially thrilling encounter, coach Pitso Mosimane warned that his charges still need to tread very carefully against an opponent he insists has got nothing to lose.
“It is a tricky one as we are playing against a team that has got nothing to lose, because they have already qualified for AFCON (as hosts). The next AFCON tournament (Pamoja 2027) takes place from 19 June to 17 July 2027 and will be held in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda.
“Bafana Bafana are perched at the top of Group D after playing and winning two AFCON qualifying matches in September 2026. Mosimane’s charges beat Guinea 2-1 in Johannesburg and then thumped Eritrea 5-0 in Egypt,” he said.
Bafana Bafana captain, Rowen Williams further said their main focus now is Kenya tonight. Williams added that it will be tough, it is going to be a challenge for many reasons, but they are up for it.
“We started well and we need to maintain that. It was Kenya coach Benni McCarthy’s 49th birthday on Thursday and he will hope to continue the celebrations on Friday. He said his charges will give a good account of themselves against the hosts,” he said.
Kenya coach, Benni McCarthy said: “Let Bafana Bafana sweat a little bit, let them sweat because we lost against Guinea (in the previous round) and we drew with Eritrea.
“So, it looks like a walk in the park, but I think the performance, the attitude and mentality of the players will show tonight. We can build for AFCON next year.”
Tickets are still on sale for the AFCON qualifier on Friday and they are available at R100 for adults and R40 for kids 5-12 years old. The gates open at 3pm.
