JOHANNESBURG — Pitso Mosimane’s pre-match warning about underestimating an emotionally charged Kenya side proved prophetic at Orlando Amstel Arena (Orlando Stadium) on Friday night, as Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars snatched a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser to hold Bafana Bafana to a frustrating 2–2 draw in Matchday 3 of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.
In front of a vibrant Soweto crowd, and with former Bafana mentor Hugo Broos watching from the stands, South Africa dominated possession and carved out a string of clear-cut openings, only to be undone by profligacy in front of goal and two costly defensive lapses.
Fast Start Gift-Wrapped, Before Penalty Shifts Momentum
Kenya signalled their intent inside the opening 60 seconds when Adam Wilson forced a sharp save from returning Bafana captain Ronwen Williams with an acrobatic bicycle kick. However, South Africa swiftly seized control, dictating over 74% of early possession and pinning the visitors back.
After Kenyan goalkeeper Bryne Omondi denied early efforts from Relebohile Mofokeng and Iqraam Rayners, Bafana’s high press yielded a bizarre opener in the 9th minute. Attempting to play out from a short goal-kick, Kenyan defender Sylvester Wanjala fired a misplaced back pass under pressure; Omondi lost his footing on the turf, allowing the ball to roll agonisingly into the back of the net for a 1–0 gift.
Rather than burying the contest, South Africa took their foot off the pedal after Tshepang Moremi twice tested Omondi from inside the area. Kenya grew into the half and were handed a lifeline in the 42nd minute when Wilson’s free-kick struck the raised arm of Thabang Matuludi inside the box. Veteran striker Michael Olunga stepped up in the 44th minute, calmly sending Williams the wrong way to level the score at 1–1 going into the break, though not before Omondi produced a brilliant point-blank stop to deny Rayners in first-half stoppage time.
Mofokeng Magic Undone at the Death
The second half unfolded as a frustrating tale of missed opportunities for the hosts. Omondi continued to frustrate South Africa, thwarting Rayners one-on-one early in the stanza before Mosimane turned to his bench in the 56th minute, introducing overseas-based duo Lyle Foster and Puso Dithejane for Rayners and Moremi.
The changes injected immediate urgency:
- 59′: Mofokeng rattled the upright from inside the penalty area following slick link-up play with Oswin Appollis.
- 62′ & 71′: Dithejane twice delivered inviting crosses onto the head and stretch of Foster, both efforts drifting agonisingly wide as Mosimane watched with his head in his hands.
South Africa’s persistence finally paid off in the 77th minute with a goal of genuine quality. Appollis fed Relebohile Mofokeng, who exchanged a crisp one-two with Foster on the edge of the box before curling a clinical finish past Omondi to restore Bafana’s lead at 2–1.
Mosimane introduced Bathusi Aubaas and Tashreeq Matthews in the 84th minute to shore up the midfield and see out the victory. Yet, in the 90th minute, disaster struck. Centre-back Olwethu Makhanya allowed a routine long ball to bounce behind the defensive line, enabling Kenyan substitute Ryan Ogam to race clear and smash a low strike from distance into the bottom corner for 2–2.
Group D Implications: Pressure Builds Ahead of Nairobi
The dropped points end Mosimane’s 100% winning start since taking charge, though Bafana Bafana remain top of Group D on seven points at the halfway mark of the qualifying campaign.
Because co-hosts Kenya are already guaranteed a place at the 2027 finals in East Africa, only the top non-host finisher in Group D advances. With Guinea holding a game in hand, South Africa can ill afford further slip-ups when they travel to Nairobi for the immediate return fixture against McCarthy’s energized Harambee Stars on Tuesday, 17 November.
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