Kenya target Bafana scalp

Johannesburg - Kenya coach Henri Michel is confident his side can give Bafana Bafana a run for their money when they meet in a friendly international on Tuesday.

The Harambee Stars are currently preparing for the 2014 World Cup qualifiers after their hopes of making the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations finals were ended at the opening round.

South Africa, meanwhile, are free from the pressures of qualifying for the upcoming AFCON instalment as they will host next year's showpiece, but Michel remains confident his side can come away with a positive result and improve their FIFA world ranking of 128th.

"I can say that we are very focused for the forthcoming international friendly," Michel told a press conference in Nairobi this weekend.

"Every match is normally very important for any team and this specific one against Bafana Bafana will be vital for me and the federation, going by Kenya's FIFA ranking, which we could improve with a win."

He added: "I want a good start. The local players have been responding very well to training for the period I have been with them in camp and I am very impressed with them."