The game carries a lot of significance for McCarthy, who will be making his first-ever return to home soil to face a national team that he played for before hanging up his international boots.
McCarthy is currently South Africa national team’s all-time top scorer with 31 goals, having managed 79 caps, after making his debut as a substitute, playing the final 18 minutes of South Africa’s 2-0 friendly defeat against the Netherlands in 1997.
The defeat saw McCarthy become the third-youngest player to represent the national team at the time. He made his Africa Cup of Nations debut against Angola, becoming the youngest South African to appear at the tournament.
"I always just tried to give my best and stay true to myself. Go out there and try and play the best way that I can, that can make it difficult for whoever you’re up against, and sometimes we were fortunate," said McCarthy.
"Against South Africa is another one of those cases. It’s David versus Goliath, and unfortunately, I seem to always be David, I’m never Goliath.
"It will be another battle. I think technically, I’ve got a strong team. I’ve got a good team. And if we get things right, I think we can give them a run for their money."
Kenya kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea before losing 1-0 away to Guinea. For South Africa, they have hauled six points from the opening two qualifying matches.
Their first game was against Guinea which they won 2-1 before turning on the style to smash Eritrea 5-0 and stay on course to qualify for the tournament to be staged in East Africa.
South Africa must sweat a little
McCarthy added: "Let Bafana Bafana sweat a little bit, let them sweat because we lost against Guinea (in the previous round) and we drew with Eritrea.
"So, it looks like a walk in the park, but I think the performance, the attitude and mentality of the players will show tomorrow and we can build for AFCON next year."
On returning to South Africa to face his former national team, McCarthy responded: "The emotions died the day I hung up my boots, so now it’s just memories for me.
"It was good memories; it was a good time. I’m not expecting people to applaud or cheer or whatever because what happened in the past happened in the past.
"Now I’m going to be facing their team, their players, and I’m in the opposite dugout. So, I’m not expecting, you know, anybody in the stadium tomorrow (Friday) to cheer for me or for my team because we’re going to be looking to beat their team."
McCarthy further warned Harambee Stars players to use the occasion and put up good performances with the AFCON 2027 around the corner.
"For us because we’re going to be there in the AFCON irrespective of the result, but maybe not for every player," offered McCarthy.
"So, if you don’t perform, if you don’t show what you’ve got, you’re not guaranteed that you’re going to have a place in the squad.
"So, everybody knows whoever gets selected, whoever gets an opportunity, they’ve got to give the best of themselves because you’re only as good as your last game."
The former Manchester United assistant coach concluded: "You remember the wonderful performances and those performances at the end of the day when you come to selecting, as for a coach, you look at the players that stood tall and the players that performed and the players that fought and gave everything."
Tusker striker Ryan Ogam said: "South Africa have good players and will enjoy home advantage, but we should not fear them.
"We also have quality in our squad, and we must travel there ready to compete. We cannot go to Johannesburg and sit back. We must take the game to them, fight for every ball, and show that we can match them."
In groups featuring a host nation, only the highest-placed team excluding the host will qualify from the group, while the top two finishers in the remaining groups will progress to the finals.
The qualifying campaign will conclude with matchdays five and six in March 2027, when the remaining places at Africa’s flagship football tournament will be confirmed.
