Bafana Bafana and Kenya have named their respective starting line-ups ahead of this evening’s crunch 2027 African Cup of Nations Qualifier at Orlando Amstel Arena.
After picking up six points from their opening two matches, South Africa will further look to have a stranglehold on top spot in Group D.
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Bafana beat Guinea 2-1 before thrashing minnows Eritrea 5-0 while the Kenyans have a single point from both their matches in September after losing 1-0 to Guinea and a 1-1 stalemate against the Eritreans.
Both coaches have had quite to say in the build-up to the clash with Pitso Mosimane warning his charges of what the opposition possess at the helm of Benni McCarthy.
“We must be very careful of playing a team with nothing to lose, they are in the finals. Coach Benni has the character of a will to win and of fighting for his name. We have to respect that, he was a coach at Manchester United, he coached [Cristiano] Ronaldo. We have to respect the level he reached as a coach and a player,” Mosimane said as per SuperSport Football.
McCarthy on the other hand makes a return to eSgodini, a stadium he once called home where he won trophies upon his return from Europe.
“I go home to where my roots are. I go home to a place that I once called home. Once upon a time, Orlando Stadium. I go home to adoring fans that always cheered and always supported me no matter what, and I’ve always had unbelievable moments in front of them,” he added.
Here’s how both teams will square up:
Bafana Starting XI: Williams (c), Matuludi, Okon, Makhanya, Sithole, Mokoena, Modiba, Moremi, Mofokeng, Appollis, Rayners
Subs: Aubaas, Mailula, Singh, Foster, Mbokazi, Dithejane, Kabini, Chaine, Goss, Matthews, Mbatha, Morena
Kenya Starting XI: Omondi; Onyango, Odihambo, Otieno, Abud, Ogada, Wilson, Ochieng, Wanjala, Lenkupae, Luheni.
Subs: tbc
The clash gets underway at 18:00.