Harambee Stars twice fought back to hold South Africa 2-2 at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg on Friday night. Substitute Ryan Ogam scored the equaliser in the 89th minute. The result earned coach Benni McCarthy a point against his home country in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Kenya fell behind early. Amos Wanjala scored a ninth-minute own goal after a poor back pass meant for goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, Pulse Live Kenya reported. South Africa then piled on the pressure. Omondi kept out chances from Tshepang Moremi and Iqraam Rayners, and Moremi also sent one effort over the bar.
Kenya won a penalty when Frank Odhiambo's ball struck the arm of Thabang Matuludi, according to Pulse. Captain Michael Olunga sent goalkeeper Ronwen Williams the wrong way to make it 1-1 just before half-time. It was his 35th goal for Kenya. The strike put him level with Gor Mahia legend William 'Chege' Ouma, whose record had stood since the 1970s, The Eastleigh Voice reported.
McCarthy made a double change early in the second half, and Kenya improved. Omondi kept making saves, and Relebohile Mofokeng hit the post with a curling effort, according to The Eastleigh Voice. Olunga headed one chance wide and was later replaced by Micah Obiero.
South Africa went ahead with 13 minutes left. Mofokeng finished a move involving Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster, rifling a shot into the roof of the net, Pulse reported. McCarthy responded by bringing on Ogam and Eric Marcelo Ouma. Late on, defender Olwethu Makhanya missed a long ball into the box. Ogam shrugged him off and fired low into the bottom corner.
Before kick-off, McCarthy had called the match a David-versus-Goliath contest. He insisted, however, that Kenya had enough technical quality to trouble Bafana Bafana, The Eastleigh Voice reported. Olunga said the two games would let Kenya measure themselves against one of the continent's established sides.
South Africa dropped their first points of the campaign. According to Pulse, they still top the group with seven points from three games, while Kenya have two. The sides meet again at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, November 17.