South Africa’s Bafana Bafana were held to a 2-2 draw by Kenya in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifier at Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Friday night. 

They had led twice and conceded a late equaliser to substitute Ryan Ogam.

The hosts went ahead early. An own goal by Kenyan defender Wanjala in the 8th minute gave Pitso Mosimane’s side the lead. Kenya got back level just before the break, when captain Michael Olunga converted a 42nd-minute penalty.

The goal also took him to 35 for Kenya, equalling the country’s all-time scoring record.

South Africa regained the advantage in the 77th minute. Relebohile Mofokeng collected a pass from Foster and finished confidently to make it 2-1, and the home side looked on course for three points. Kenya, coached by Benni McCarthy, kept pushing. Ogam struck with a long-range shot in the 90th minute to level the match.

The draw is South Africa’s first dropped points since Mosimane returned to the Bafana job. They beat Guinea 2-1 at the same venue in September to start the campaign, and the draw leaves them top of Group D on seven points from three games. For Kenya, who drew 1-1 with Eritrea on the opening matchday, it was a hard-earned point away from home.

The two sides meet again in the return fixture at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday, 17 November. The result means Bafana must now go to Kenya under pressure to protect their position at the top of the group.