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Kenya strike late to peg back Bafana Bafana

football13 November 2026 18:00| © Backpage TXT
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South Africa’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying hopes suffered a blow on Friday when they were held to a 2-2 draw by Kenya at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Bafana Bafana appeared on course for a third straight win in Group D after Relebohile Mofokeng scored to make it 2-1 with just under a quarter hour of regulation time remaining, but Harambee Stars substitute Ryan Ogam hit a fine equaliser just before injury time to salvage a share of the spoils for the visitors.

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The result left South Africa just one point ahead of nearest chasers Guinea at the top of the standings, while Kenya (already qualified as co-hosts) moved above Eritrea into third place on two points.

Kenya almost got off to a spectacular start, with Adam Wilson acrobatically volleying on target in the opening seconds, but SA goalkeeper Ronwen Williams tipped the effort over the crossbar for an early corner kick.

The hosts then began to create chances – a flicked header from Iqraam Rayners straight at goalkeeper Bryne Omondi, and a Tshepang Moremi effort scooped over the bar – before Kenya scored a calamitous own goal in the ninth minute.

The visitors looked to play short from a goal kick, but their attempt ended with Amos Wanjala stabbing a back-pass beyond the reach of his goalkeeper under pressure from Bafana Bafana’s attacking press.

The match fell into something of a lull through most of the first half, until coming back to life shortly before the break when Thabang Matuludi conceded a penalty for an unfortunate and inadvertent hand ball.

Michael Olunga converted from 12 yards to make it 1-1 – and join William Ouma as the joint all-time leading scorer for the Harambee Stars (35 goals).

Bafana Bafana clicked up through the gears and created significant attacking pressure before the half-time whistle, including a close-range chance for Rayners which was denied by a brave block from Omondi, but the interval with the score level at one goal apiece.

Omondi made another huge save to deny Rayners one-on-one a few minutes into the second half, after the forward capitalised on a defensive error from Frank Odhiambo.

Just before the hour mark Bafana Bafana almost reclaimed the lead via Relebohile Mofokeng, who hit the post with an impish shot, after good set-up play from Oswin Appollis down the left flank.

On 71 minutes substitutes Puso Dithejane and Lyle Foster combined for the hosts, with the former crossing for the latter, but Foster’s header failed to find the target.

However, Foster soon turned provider to help South Africa go 2-1 up. He latched onto a lofted pass from Mofokeng and intelligently cushioned a return pass into space in the penalty area, allowing Mofokeng to run onto the ball and volley home a well-taken goal in the 77th minute.

South Africa appeared on course for victory, but in the final minute of regulation time Kenya substitute Ryan Ogam scored a fine solo goal – holding off a couple of defenders before driving a low shot through the legs of Matuludi and beyond the reach of Williams’ right hand to make it 2-2.

The teams will meet again for a Matchday 4 fixture on Tuesday 17 November at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

South Africa (1) 2 (Wanjala og 9’, Mofokeng 77’)

Kenya (1) 2 (Olunga 44’ pen, Ogam 90’)

SOUTH AFRICA: Williams, Matuludi, Okon, Makhanya, Modiba (Dithejane 57’), Sithole, Mokoena (Aubaas 84’), Moremi, Mofokeng (Mailula 90+2’), Appollis (Matthews 83’), Rayners (Foster 57’)

Kenya: Omondi, R. Onyango, Odhiambo, Owino, Omar, Olunga (Obiero 72’), A. Wilson (A. Onyango 46’), Ochieng (Ogam 81’), Wanjala, Tera (O. Wilson 46’), W. Wilson (Otieno 81’)

 

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