Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has revealed that he will sing the South African national anthem ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday.
McCarthy, who turned 49 on Thursday, is Bafana Bafana’s all-time record goalscorer with 31 goals for the national team.
On Friday, he will return to Orlando Amstel Arena, where he featured during the latter stages of his career for the Buccaneers – but this time he will be on the opposition bench.
However, he has insisted he will still sing Nkosi Sikelel’ ahead of the match, as his love for South Africa remains.
“I’m still a South African, and I have done a great deal for my country when it comes to football, so I will sing my national anthem,” he told iDiski Times journalist Matshelana Mamabolo in an exclusive interview.
But McCarthy insisted that despite all love for Mzansi he has a job to do and will be fully focussed on his duty for Kenya, promising they will do all they can to get a result against Bafana.
“Eish, facing Bafana ain’t no easy task and all the emotions that come with it. It’s a mixed emotion feeling, to be honest. It’s my country and my first love that makes it ever so hard,” he added, addressing the emotional rollercoaster.
“But my professional duty is to the team and country I manage, so all the emotions go out the window. We will do our very best to maintain the utmost professionalism and give a good account of ourselves.
“I can’t be too emotionally invested because my job is to be the head coach for Kenya and I have to do anything possible to bring success and prosperity to the national team.
“It’s our professional duty to do the very best we can to help our teams win. Victory would be amazing, but I know how difficult it will be, considering Bafana’s status in African football. Coach Pitso is a very respected coach and a friend.”