South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane has cautioned Bafana Bafana against underestimating Harambee Stars, pointing to the experience, achievements and winning mentality of head coach Benni McCarthy ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe two nations are scheduled to face off twice in the space of four days, beginning with Friday's encounter at Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg before returning to action in Nairobi on Tuesday, 17 November.As preparations gather pace, Harambee Stars arrived in South Africa on Tuesday, with McCarthy leading the Kenyan contingent back to his home country for what promises to be a challenging assignment.##NAJAVA_MECA_10108053##The two teams approach the fixtures with contrasting records in Group D. Bafana have collected maximum points from their opening two matches against Guinea and Eritrea, while Kenya have managed a draw and a defeat. The Stars, however, are already assured of a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as co-hosts alongside Tanzania and Uganda.Despite South Africa's stronger start to the qualifying campaign, Mosimane believes McCarthy's credentials make him a formidable opponent who should not be taken lightly.“You are mentioning Benni, but you know the personality and willingness to win,” Mosimane said in an interview with Sporty TV.McCarthy lists attributes that make Real Sociedad star Job Ochieng lethal“He has the personality of fighting in football for his name and work. You’ve also got to respect that he’s a good coach. He was coaching Manchester United, and that’s a dream of any coach in the world. He was coaching (Cristiano) Ronaldo, excuse me.”Beyond his coaching experience, McCarthy also boasts an outstanding playing career, having become the only South African-born footballer to win the UEFA Champions League. Mosimane believes that achievement, alongside his experience at the highest level, commands respect.“You’ve got to respect the level at which he has coached and played. None of us in the whole world (in South Africa) has got the gold medal of the Champions League,” Mosimane added.##NAJAVA_MECA_10108062##The Bafana coach further stressed that McCarthy's competitive nature and determination to succeed are qualities Kenya could draw upon as they seek a positive result against South Africa.“You’ve got to understand those facts that I am giving you, and what kind of person we are talking about in terms of the fight and winning at all costs in football.”Emerging Stars edge past ten-man Ivory Coast in AFCON U23 qualifiers