Battling Kenya hold South Africa away in Johannesburg
Substitute Ryan Ogam rescued a point for Harambee Stars with a brilliant strike at the stroke of full time.
Kenya, coached by South African Benni McCarthy, have now registered two draws and a loss in the qualifiers.
Kenya’s Harambee Stars came from behind twice to hold fancied South Africa to a 2-2 draw in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers Group 'D' match at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday.
South Africa were on course to secure a crucial win thanks to Relebohile Mokefeng’s 77th minute strike before substitute striker Ryan Ogam equalised for Harambee Stars with a brilliant strike at the stroke of full time.
The hosts had taken the lead in the eighth minute through defender Amos Wanjala’s own goal after horrible play at the back from Harambee Stars.
South Africa's Oswin Appollis (right) shields the ball from Kenya's Amos Wanjala during their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier against South Africa at Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg on November 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
But one minute to half time, captain Michael Olunga equalised for Kenya from the spot following a handball by a South African defender.
Kenya, coached by South African legend Benni McCarthy, have now registered two draws and a loss in the qualifiers.
It is the first match where South Africa have dropped points in the group. The Bafana Bafana defeated Guinea 2-1 on September 26 before thrashing Eritrea 5-0 on September 30.
The return leg will be played on Tuesday at Nyayo National Stadium under floodlights. Kenya have already qualified for the 2027 Afcon finals as one of the co-hosts.
Kenya coach Benni McCarthy gives instructions to Sylvester Owino and Aboud Omar during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier against South Africa at Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg on November 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Reuters
With the draw, Kenya’s search for a first win against South Africa continues. The two teams have now met five times. Bafana Bafana have won three encounters with two draws.
The two teams first met in September 1996 in the Simba Cup in South Africa, the host winning by a solitary goal. Their next clash was in October 2002 in the Castle Lager Cup in Tanzania, the two teams drawing 1-1.
In February 2011, hosts South Africa thumped Kenya 2-0 in an international friendly match. The two sides last met in October 2012 in an international friendly match, South Africa winning 2-1.
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