Pitso Mosimane’s perfect start to his second spell as Bafana Bafana coach came to an end on Friday, as Michael Olunga’s late strike earned Benni McCarthy’s Kenya a 2-2 draw in Soweto.
Bafana led twice but Olunga scored both of Kenya’s goals, and his second made him the Harambee Stars’ all-time top scorer.
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It was a frantic start, and Kenya had the first chance. Ochieng put in a good delivery to the back post, and Adam Wilson tried a superb bicycle kick, but Ronwen Williams dealt with the effort. Bafana then began to assert themselves and had a huge opportunity to open the scoring, but Tshepang Moremi skied his effort over the bar.
Bafana took the lead in the 8th minute. A strong press put Kenya under pressure as they tried to play out from the back, and Relebohile Mofokeng forced Amos Wanjala, running towards his own goal, into a clearance that went past his goalkeeper, Bryne Odhiambo, and into the net.
It’s a gift for Bafana Bafana 🎁 🇿🇦
Amos Wanjala puts it in the back of his own net 🫣
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— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 13, 2026
A second goal looked like a formality as Bafana attacked in wave after wave. But McCarthy’s side held firm, denying several strong efforts, and their discipline paid off just before half-time. Thabang Matuludi was penalised for handball, and Olunga sent a composed penalty to Williams’ right. The goal made it 1-1 and drew him level as Kenya’s all-time top scorer.
Olunga had another great chance after the restart, but his powerful header from a corner went just wide. Iqraam Rayners then went close for South Africa, only for Odhiambo to make a strong save, and Mofokeng hit the woodwork with a well-worked shot.
Kenya’s forwards were holding the ball up well and stopping Bafana from taking control. The introduction of MLS pair Lyle Foster and Puso Dithejane gave Bafana more of a threat on the counter, and it showed straight away. Dithejane set up Foster for a couple of near misses.
With less than 15 minutes to play, Bafana’s hard work paid off. Oswin Appollis started the move by feeding Mofokeng, who played a well-weighted pass to Foster in the box. Mofokeng kept running, collected the return from Foster and buried a powerful strike past Odhiambo.
Rele brings his European experience to Orlando 🤩🇿🇦
📺 Stream #TotalEnergiesAFCONQ2027 on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc https://t.co/zPWP35svyo
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 13, 2026
Kenya pushed for an equaliser, and they were rewarded. A big mistake by Olwethu Makhanya gave Olunga an opening, and he beat Williams from range to make it 2-2 and become Kenya’s outright all-time top scorer.
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A huge goal for Kenya and a big blow for Bafana. They stay top of Group D, but dropping two points at home makes the race for qualification much tighter.
The two sides meet again on Tuesday, when Bafana travel to Nairobi looking to restore some breathing room.
Photo: Zamani Makautsi/Gallo Images
