Benni McCarthy speaks candidly about South African players who caused him harm

13.11.26 FT AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations

South Africa

2

:

Kenya

2

In the match between South Africa and Kenya, which ended in a 1–1 draw, it became clear that Benni McCarthy’s task was far from easy. Having faced the South African side, he admitted that certain players—specifically two key individuals—caused him significant problems.

• read more: AFCON 2027: Top five performers in South Africa vs Kenya

Kenya and South Africa drew 2-2 at Orlando Stadium following a truly thrilling match—one that the host nation’s fans had likely hoped would end differently. Ultimately, however, the result—a single point—was viewed quite differently by the South Africans compared to the visitors.

In this match, Benni McCarthy knew he would be facing a side that certainly wouldn’t hand over three points on a silver platter; instead, he had to contend with a team that knew exactly what it was doing—particularly given the presence of several key players in the Bafana Bafana squad. Indeed, there were two individuals in particular who caused significant problems for Kenya.

• read more: AFCON 2027: Kenya stun South Africa with late fightback

Benni McCarthy had to change some tactical aspects to counter key players

The South African coach disclosed that he was forced to alter his tactical setup in order to shut down Bafana's full-backs, who had been finding success on the wings.

"I thought it was a good game of football, a little too basketball like for my liking. I would like to have had more control of the game, especially when we went 1-1 up and before halftime I thought we got into the game good, we controlled most of the situations," McCarthy said after the game, as per SABC Sport.

"In the second half Bafana came out, but I still thought we controlled the game and we managed most of the situations and we caused a bit of trouble after the we started and Obviously we made that first error and we gifted them the opening goal.

"I had to change the system, which I don't think they realised I changed the system as the game got out, because we got into a beat of trouble with Modiba, the two full-backs on both sides they were causing us problem.

"Ossie [Appollis] and Tshepang [Moremi] were tucking inside and you had Rele [Mofokeng] and Iqraam that were causing us a lot of problems there and then the full-backs were having a free-ride every single time and then we changed it.

"When we changed it, we changed into a back-three and then the wing-backs then occupied their full-backs, which I think they didn't know what hit them and then we started having a bit of space and more possession and we were able to do what we did.

Hazem Mlhem |

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Hazem Mlhem est un rédacteur sportif expérimenté, animé par une passion pour le football africain.

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AFCON - Africa Cup of Nations