Bafana Bafana were held to a 2-2 draw by Kenya at the Orlando Amstel Arena. Kenya’s Ryan Ogam equalised in the 89th minute, leaving South Africa coach Pitso Mosimane disappointed.
South Africa will have to settle for a point. At the Orlando Amstel Arena, Bafana Bafana were pegged back at the death by Kenya (2-2), with Ryan Ogam scoring the equaliser in the 89th minute, according to SAFA. A scenario that leaves plenty of regrets, given that the South Africans led twice on the scoreboard.
Kenya were pulled back in the 77th minute by Relebohile Mofokeng, who had restored his side’s lead. But the team of Kenya coach Benni McCarthy found a way through in the closing stages, much to Pitso Mosimane’s frustration.
An own goal opens the scoring
The opening goal came from a rare occurrence: Amos Wanjala scored an own goal in the 8th minute, handing South Africa the lead. Kenya responded quickly, with Michael Olunga, the captain, converting a penalty in the 42nd minute to equalise. It was his 35th international goal, according to feijing66.com.
Mofokeng’s goal that put his side ahead in the 77th minute was not enough: Kenya, already qualified for AFCON as co-hosts, came back one last time through Ogam. A point that does little for South Africa’s qualification hopes.
Mosimane points to wasteful finishing
South Africa’s coach made no secret of his frustration after the match. “Football tells you that it is not about ball possession, it is not about how many chances you create, it is about the chances you take. Kenya showed that they did not need much to cause an upset. The few chances they got, they used them. If you want to see how many chances we missed, it was a series,” said Pitso Mosimane, quoted by SAFA, referring to “a series” of missed chances.
For his part, McCarthy felt a share of the points was fair: “In the end, I think it was a deserved draw for both teams. Whoever would have won this game, I do not think that people would have been angry or say one team was lucky. Over 90 minutes, both teams had their moments, both goalkeepers performed and kept their teams in the game,” he told SAFA.
McCarthy also explained that he changed his system during the game to counter South Africa’s full-backs. “I had to change the system, which I don’t think they realised I changed the system as the game got out, because we got into a beat of trouble with Modiba, the two full-backs on both sides they were causing us problem,” he told Soccer Laduma, describing a switch to a back three.
Guinea one point behind
Despite the draw, South Africa stay top of Group D with 7 points, one more than Guinea, according to feijing66.com. With Kenya already qualified as AFCON co-hosts, the group now offers only one other place.
The return match, Kenya v South Africa, is scheduled for 18 November 2026 at 00:00.