McCarthy relishing another fierce battle with old rival Mosimane

The two coaches will battle it out at Orlando Stadium in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, as the Harambee Stars of Kenya take on Bafana Bafana. McCarthy was voted coach of the season in 2018/2019 after finishing second behind Mosimane in the league, but he remains confident that he can shock his home nation...

"Coach Pitso has always had the upper hand. 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."

READ: Fabian McCarthy warns SA football is neglecting its grassroots talent

Kenya, one of the three co-hosts of the PAMOJA AFCON, have qualified automatically for the tournament in the East African region for the first time in 52 years. 

They have not started well in Group D, drawing at home to Eritrea and narrowly losing away to Guinea in Conakry. Despite having qualified already, McCarthy says his players still have to prove themselves.

The dominant story this week, has been about McCarthy and his full South African technical team being owed salaries by the Kenyan government and the Kenyan Football Federation (FKF). It was reported a few days ago that the outstanding amounts have since been settled.

McCarthy is not only Bafana Bafana's all-time leading goal scorer with 31 goals, but he is also the only South African to have won the UEFA Champions League title with FC Porto. The Hanover Park legend’s love for his country is unquestionable, but today, he will put that aside and says emotions will have no place in this game...

"The emotion died the day I decided to hang up my boots, now it's just memories of a great time. 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."

McCarthy, who is building a team for next year’s AFCON, has also been forced to leave behind some of his youngsters, as they are on duty with the U/23 team.

The 49-year-old, who celebrated his birthday yesterday, says it’s all about understanding the bigger picture.