{
  "id": 19182124,
  "title": "Bafana’s Pitso warns of Kenya threat in AFCON qualifiers",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/bafanas-pitso-warns-of-kenya-threat-in-afcon-qualifiers",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-09T17:09:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/soccer/bafana-pitso-warns-kenya-threat-afcon-qualifiers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pitso Mosimane, Bafana Bafana's coach, has cautioned his team to be wary of Kenya's Harambee Stars in upcoming AFCON qualifiers. The South African side will face Kenya twice, first in Orlando Stadium on Friday and then in Nairobi on November 17.\n\nThe Harambee Stars currently possess only one point from their first two AFCON qualifiers, yet they automatically qualify for the 2024 finals as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Mosimane emphasized the importance of respecting Kenya's fierce determination, stating that the team is \"in the finals\" and thus poses a significant threat.\n\nCoach Mosimane praised Benni McCarthy, Kenya's head coach, for his tenacity and fighting spirit. He highlighted McCarthy's illustrious career, including his time as a player with Porto and as a coach at Manchester United, where he managed Cristiano Ronaldo. Mosimane stressed the need to recognize McCarthy's accomplishments and the impact they have on the team's morale.\n\nThe Zimbabwean coach underscored the importance of not underestimating any team, noting that Kenya boasts players from diverse backgrounds, including Finland, Wales, Sweden, and France. He referenced Cape Verde's experience at the World Cup, where respect for all teams was crucial until the final results were known.\n\nMosimane revealed that Bafana Bafana will have only two players from abroad in camp for their Monday training session. Central defenders Ime Okon and Olwethu Makhanya have arrived, while others expected to join by Tuesday include Lyle Foster, Puso Dithejane, Mbekezeli Mbokazi, Relebohile Mofokeng, and Samukele Kabini, all based overseas in the United States, Belgium, and Norway.",
  "summary": "'We must be very careful of playing a team with nothing to lose, they are in the finals,' Mosimane told journalists.",
  "key_points": [
    "Pitso Mosimane warns Bafana Bafana to be cautious against Kenya in upcoming AFCON qualifiers.",
    "Harambee Stars qualify for 2024 finals automatically with one point from first two qualifiers.",
    "Coach Mosimane praises Benni McCarthy's tenacity and diverse player backgrounds of Kenya."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "IOL",
        "title": "Pitso sends stern message to Foster after Bafana recall",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/pitso-sends-stern-message-to-foster-after-bafana-recall",
        "published": "2026-11-09T17:48:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "SABC News",
        "title": "Bafana set to face Kenya in back-to-back AFCON qualifying fixtures",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/09/bafana-set-to-face-kenya-in-back-to-back-afcon-qualifying-fixtures",
        "published": "2026-11-09T18:11:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}