AFCON QUALIEFIERS Bafana Bafana coach, Pitso Mosimane says knowing Kenya coach, Benni McCarthy well will not necessarily benefit their planning ahead of the clash against the east-Africans.

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Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane says knowing Benni McCarthy well does not give either tactician an upper hand, pointing to how opponents study Orlando Pirates but still struggle at their fortress.

Mosimane and McCarthy will face off in back-to-back Afcon qualifiers, with the first clash scheduled for Orlando Stadium next Friday before the return leg in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The two coaches share a long history, having worked together at Bafana when Mosimane was an assistant and McCarthy a player. They have also faced each other in the dugout during Mosimane’s reign at Mamelodi Sundowns and McCarthy’s spell at Cape Town City.

Speaking during Thursday’s announcement of his final 27-man squad at SABC Studios, Mosimane acknowledged their familiarity but insisted it would not determine the outcome.

“I guess everybody knows how Barcelona play, right? Everyone knows how Arsenal play. Everyone knows how Bayern Munich play. Everyone has analysts — even four. Everyone knows how you play,” Mosimane said.

“It doesn’t mean that when I know an opponent, I have an advantage. No, it just gives me a little bit of data and I understand certain patterns and what is most likely to happen.”

Mosimane pointed to Pirates’ formidable home record as an example. The Buccaneers are yet to drop points at Orlando Amstel Arena this season, winning all their matches across competitions.

@BafanaBafana I hope that people will not complain, I am happy with this selection

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That run has kept their Betway Premiership title defence on track while they have also reached the CAF Champions League group stage, MTN8 final and Carling Knockout Cup quarter-finals. They host Sekhukhune United in the latter competition on Saturday (3pm).

“Everyone knows Pirates play until they get to Orlando Amstel Arena,” Mosimane said. “So it’s the way it is in football.”

Having made good use of home advantage at Orlando in his first match of his second Bafana tenure, Mosimane will be keen to maintain that record against McCarthy, who enjoyed memorable nights at eSgodini during his playing days at Pirates and coaching spell in the PSL.