Bafana pay for missed chances as Benni’s Kenya steal point

Bafana Bafana failed to maintain their perfect record in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers following a 2-2 draw with Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena on Friday.

Pitso Mosimane’s men thought they had won it when Relebohile Mofokeng scored a stunning goal 13 minutes from time but Benni McCarthy’s side pinched a point with a late goal.

South Africa were gifted an early goal following a defensive mistake from Kenya. Following Bafana’s high press, Kenya’s defender Frank Odhiambo passed the ball to Amos Wanjala, who was under pressure from Mofokeng, and the youngster passed back quickly in attempt to find goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, who missed it and watched the ball roll into the net.

That was after South Africa had just missed from close range seconds earlier, when Mofokeng took the ball down, but Tshepang Moremi fired over from close range.

Matuludi gifts Kenya from the spot

Moremi would then sting Omondi’s hands and as South Africa applied pressure on a bid to find the second goal.

With former Bafana coach Hugo Broos watching on from the stands, South Africa handed Kenya a lifeline via the penalty spot. From a free-kick, Odhiambo’s attempt hit the outstretched arm of Thabang Matuludi and the referee pointed to the spot.

Captain Michael Olunga stepped up and sent Ronwen Williams the wrong way for 1-1 in the 41st minute for a record-equalling goal as he is now the joint all-time top scorer for Kenya, alongside William Ouma, on 35 goals.

Before the first half was out, Kenya’s goalkeeper Omondi made a great save from close range to keep out Iqraam Rayners after a brilliant ball over the top from Mofokeng.

Kenya improve as Bafana miss chances

Both teams headed to the break with South Africa in the ascendancy but upon resumption, Benni McCarthy made a couple of substitutions that steadied the ship for Kenya, taking off Alwyin Tera and Adam Wilson for Alpha Onyango and Stanley Wilson.

However, South Africa nearly scored a second one immediately after when Odhiambo miscued the ball in the box, letting Rayners one-on-one with the goalkeeper but the Gor Mahia custodian made himself big to deny him.

South Africa then missed another great opportunity 11 minutes after the break when Mofokeng’s well-scooped ball hit the post following a good pass from Oswin Appollis but he would get his reward minutes later.

In the 77th minute, and with Kenya pushing numbers forward, they left a huge gap behind their defence and Mofokeng made them pay.

Mofokeng strikes but Harambee Stars pinch point

The Royale Union Saint-Gilloise star received the ball and got in behind the defence, before passing to Appollis, who then found substitute Lyle Foster, and the striker passed back to Mofokeng who rifled into the roof of the net for 2-1.

South Africa thought they had won it until the 89^th minute when Kenya pulled a rabbit out of the hat. After defending a set-piece, Harambee Stars launched a long ball forward which Olwethu Makhanya missed.

It fell to substitute Ryan Ogam and the 21-year-old shrugged off the Rangers defender and found space before squeezing the ball into the bottom right corner past Williams for 2-2.

That is how it ended as Kenya secured their second point in the AFCON qualifiers from three matches while Bafana Bafana have seven from as many games, ending Mosimane’s perfect start.