By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: Gallo Images.
South Africa were held to a 2-2 draw at home by Kenya in the 2027 AFCON Qualifiers at Orlando Amstel Arena in Soweto on Friday, 13 November 2026.
The hosts took the lead in the ninth minute through Amos Wanjala own goal, as his backpass rolled past Bryne Omondi.
In the 44th minute, Michael Olunga levelled the scores from the penalty spot against the run of play after Thabang Matuludi’s raised arm caught the ball off a Sylvester Owino flick-on at the back post from an Adam Wilson free-kick.
Apart from Wilson’s bicycle-kick in the first minute, which Ronwen Williams had tipped over that penalty was essentially Kenya’s only clear-cut chance of the half. This time, Olunga sent Williams the wrong way to score.
Bafana Bafana were sluggish at the start of the second half but found their rhythm after introduction of Puso Dithejane and Lyle Foster off the bench.
Relebohile Mofokeng put Bafana back in front with a beautiful 77th minute goal. The Union Saint-Gilloise attacking midfielder received a peach of a pass from Oswin Appollis, playing a one-two off Foster before burying his shot.
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.
Speaking after the match, Bafana coach Mosimane acknowledged Kenya’s efficiency in front of goal, insisting that creating chances and dominating possession count for little if a team fails to take its opportunities.
“There is so much to take out of this game, right? So many situations came out of this game. But football tells you that it’s not about ball possession and it’s not about how many chances you create. It’s about how many chances you take, and Kenya showed that. They don’t need much to cause an upset on us, and the few chances they had, they used them,” he said.
South Africa still top the group with seven points from three games, but their lead has been whittled down to a solitary point midway through the qualifiers.
The teams will meet again for a Matchday 4 fixture on Tuesday 17 November at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.
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′).
Meanwhile Nigeria overcame Tanzania 3-1, Gabon defeated Lesotho 2-0, and Libya claimed an impressive 2-0 away victory over Tunisia.
Elsewhere, Burkina Faso left it late to beat Mauritania 1-0, while Cape Verde got their qualifying campaign back on track with a 4-2 victory over Liberia.