Kenya's Strategy Against Bafana Bafana at Home

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy outlined his team's plans to adopt a more assertive approach when hosting Bafana Bafana in the return qualifier on November 15, 2026, at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Following a spirited 2-2 draw against Bafana on November 11 at Orlando Amstel Arena, where the Harambee Stars twice came from behind, McCarthy promised that his team would approach the game with aggression and determination on their home turf.

McCarthy noted that the players had shown enough quality in the first leg to take control of the game when properly motivated. "When we go home it will be different, I'm not sure whether South Africa will be accustomed to the altitude, the climate in Kenya," he remarked. "Our players are accustomed to it. So, we will be looking to take the game to them because we saw [on Friday] when we want to play, we can play. We just have to do that from the first minute of the game, take the game to them."

Despite the focus on an offensive strategy, McCarthy acknowledged the need to remain vigilant against the threats posed by Bafana’s attacking players. "We have to be aware of the threats they pose. The players they have upfront, Appollis, Tshepang, Mofokeng, Rayners. They gave us headaches," he added.