A tactical masterstroke! Benni McCarthy reveals how he caught South Africa off guard
Benni McCarthy had a tactical surprise in store for Bafana Bafana.
Details: Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy expressed satisfaction with his team's performance following a dramatic 2-2 draw against South Africa in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The hosts initially took the lead through an own goal by Amos Wanjala, before Michael Olunga equalised from the penalty spot. Relebohile Mofokeng restored South Africa's advantage in the 76th minute, but Ryan Ogam rescued a point for Kenya with an 89th-minute equaliser. After the match, McCarthy explained how switching his team's formation helped turn the game around.
“I thought we played a good game of football, a little too basketball like for my liking,” McCarthy said.
“I would like to have had more control of the game, especially when we went 1-1. At half-time I thought we were in the game good, we controlled most of the situations.”
“In the second half Bafana came out, but I still thought we controlled the game and we managed most of the situations.”
“Obviously we made that error, we gave away the opening goal and I’ve had to change the system, which I don’t think they realised I’ve changed the system. But we got into a beat of trouble with Modiba, the two full-backs on both sides they were causing us problem.”
“Ossie and Tshepang were tucking inside and you had Iqraam and Rele who were causing us a lot of problem and then the full-backs were having a free-ride every single time and then we changed it.”
“We changed into a back-three and then the wing-backs occupied the 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.”
“In the end I think it was a deserved draw for both teams. Whoever had won this game, I don’t think people would’ve been angry or said 2-1 was lucky, cause I think over the 90 minutes both teams had their moments.”
“Both goalkeepers really kept both teams in the game. I think happy, I’m not sure it’s the result Bafana wanted, but in the end of the day it’s a football match and you’re the coach and you just want your team to win, but I wasn’t able to do it to get it over the line. But on Tuesday we have another opportunity and hopefully we will get something positive.”
It's worth noting that South Africa remain top of Group D with seven points from three matches. The two national teams will meet again on November 17 in Nairobi, where Kenya will host the return fixture.
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Steven Perez
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