Harambee Stars fought back twice to secure a 2-2 draw against South Africa in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying Group D encounter at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday, November 13, with Ryan Ogam scoring a late equaliser to rescue a point for Kenya.
Captain Michael Olunga converted a penalty to bring Kenya level before Ogam struck in the closing stages after South Africa had regained the lead through Relebohile Mofokeng.
The result denied Bafana Bafana a home victory and gave Benni McCarthy’s side a positive outcome ahead of Tuesday’s return fixture at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
South Africa took the lead in the ninth minute through an own goal by Kenyan defender Amos Wanjala, who inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to deal with the hosts’ attack.
The early setback put Kenya under pressure as South Africa sought to capitalise on their home advantage. However, Harambee Stars gradually worked their way back into the contest and found an opportunity to equalise before the interval.
Kenya were awarded a penalty after South African defender Thabang Matuludi handled the ball inside the area. Olunga stepped up and converted in the 44th minute, beating goalkeeper Ronwen Williams to restore parity.
The equaliser gave the visitors a way back into the match, with both sides heading into the break level at 1-1.
South Africa returned for the second half looking to reclaim their advantage, while Kenya sought to maintain their defensive organisation and threaten on the counter-attack.
The hosts eventually went ahead again in the 77th minute when Mofokeng found the net after combining with substitute Lyle Foster, putting South Africa 2-1 ahead and leaving Kenya with little time to find another equaliser.
McCarthy responded by introducing fresh attacking options as Harambee Stars pushed forward in search of a late goal. Ogam and Erick Otieno were brought on in the 81st minute as Kenya increased the pressure on the South African defence.
The changes paid off in the 90th minute when Ogam punished a defensive mistake, firing a low effort from outside the penalty area past Williams to make it 2-2.
The late strike completed Kenya’s second comeback of the evening and ensured the visitors left Johannesburg with a point despite twice falling behind.
The draw also gives Harambee Stars an opportunity to build on their performance when the two sides meet again in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 17.
Kenya had entered the November double-header with one point from their opening two Group D matches, following a 1-1 draw against Eritrea and a 1-0 defeat away to Guinea.
South Africa, meanwhile, had collected maximum points from their opening fixtures, defeating Guinea 2-1 before recording a 5-0 victory over Eritrea. The result against Kenya therefore represents a missed opportunity for Bafana Bafana to strengthen their position in the group.
Although Kenya have already secured qualification for the 2027 AFCON finals as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, the Group D campaign remains significant. South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea are competing for the additional qualification place available from the group.
The fixture also carries a particular significance for McCarthy, who returned to his home country as Kenya’s head coach to face a South African side led by Pitso Mosimane.
Harambee Stars will now turn their attention to the return meeting at Nyayo National Stadium, where they will have home support as they seek to follow up their Johannesburg performance with another positive result.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 7pm East African Time on Tuesday, November 17, with Kenya having already demonstrated their ability to recover against one of the continent’s established sides.
