Kenya hold South Africa to 2-2 draw as Michael Olunga equals Harambee Stars’ all-time scoring record

Harambee Stars' captain, Michael Olunga, at Nyayo National Stadium on March 23, 2025, during the match against Gabon. (Photo/FKF.Media).

Ryan Ogam came off the bench to score a late equaliser as Harambee Stars twice fought back to secure a 2-2 draw against South Africa in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium on Friday night.

The result gave Kenya a valuable result against a South African side that had started the qualifying campaign strongly, while providing Benni McCarthy with the competitive test he had wanted before the two sides meet again in Nairobi on Tuesday.

McCarthy had described the match as a David-versus-Goliath contest before kick-off but insisted Kenya had enough technical quality to trouble Bafana Bafana. Captain Michael Olunga had also said the two matches would give Kenya an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the continent’s established teams as they prepare for AFCON 2027.

Kenya made a lively start in Johannesburg and immediately put pressure on the hosts.

The opening exchanges produced a corner for Harambee Stars after goalkeeper Ronwen Williams was forced into action, with Kenya creating an early opening through an acrobatic effort that went wide.

South Africa responded with their own pressure, earning a corner that was taken short before Byrne Omondi punched the ball away.

The Gor Mahia goalkeeper was soon called upon again, making an important save to deny a threatening South African header as Bafana Bafana began to find their rhythm.

Kenya survived another major opportunity when Tsepang Moremi found himself with a chance in front of goal but sent his effort over the bar.

South Africa eventually made their pressure count when Amos Wanjala turned the ball into his own net after sustained pressure from the hosts’ attack.

The goal gave Bafana Bafana the advantage, but Kenya remained dangerous and continued to look for openings.

Omondi kept Harambee Stars in the contest with another save, this time stopping a low cross from Thabang Tholo that was intended for a South African attacker inside the Kenyan box.

At the other end, Abud Omar tried to respond from a free-kick but sent his effort over the bar.

South Africa continued to threaten through their midfield, with Relebohile Mofokeng providing the attacking spark and finding teammates in dangerous areas. Kenya’s defence, however, repeatedly managed to get bodies behind the ball and prevent the hosts from extending their lead.

Then came the moment that changed the game. Kenya were awarded a penalty in the 44th minute, and Olunga stepped forward.

The captain made no mistake from the spot, sending the ball past Williams to bring Harambee Stars level at 1-1. It was more than an equaliser.

The goal took Olunga’s international tally to 35, moving him alongside William ‘Chege’ Ouma as Kenya’s joint all-time leading scorer.

Ouma’s record had stood since the 1970s, meaning Olunga had matched a mark that had survived for 49 years.

The Al-Arabi striker, who made his international debut against Seychelles in March 2015, scored his first Kenya goal against South Sudan in June that year.

Nine years later, he had joined Ouma at the top of the national team’s scoring chart.

The goal also gave Kenya renewed belief heading into the break with the score tied 1-1.

McCarthy made a double change early in the second half, bringing on Alpha Onyango and Wilson Omondi for Adam Wilson and Alwyn Tera.

Kenya immediately went looking for the lead and won a corner after Job Ochieng’s work on the flank. Olunga rose to meet the delivery, but his header went wide.

South Africa, however, remained dangerous.

Omondi produced another important save after Iqraam Rayners led an attack and Wanjala lost possession, denying the hosts an opportunity to restore their advantage.

Job Ochieng then tested South Africa with a low effort that went wide before William Lenkupae also came close, sending his shot wide of the target.

Bafana Bafana responded with sustained pressure of their own. Mofokeng came close to putting South Africa ahead with a curling effort after being played through by Oswin Reagan, but his shot struck the post.

Kenya survived another South African attack before McCarthy made another change, withdrawing Olunga for Micah Obiero.

The decision meant the man who had made history in the first half would watch the closing stages from the bench as Kenya tried to protect the point.

South Africa eventually found the breakthrough.

Mofokeng produced a clinical finish to put Bafana Bafana 2-1 ahead and leave Kenya facing another test of character.

McCarthy responded by introducing Ryan Ogam and Eric Marcelo Ouma for Job Ochieng and William Lenkupae. The change paid off.

With the match entering the final minute, Ogam found the equaliser to complete another comeback for Harambee Stars and silence the threat of a South African victory.

Kenya had twice fallen behind but twice recovered, first through Olunga’s landmark penalty and then through Ogam’s late finish.

The 2-2 draw gives McCarthy’s side an important result against South Africa and leaves the return fixture at Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday with added significance.

Kenya had entered the November double-header looking to test themselves against one of Africa’s stronger sides, with McCarthy keen to use the matches to assess his squad ahead of the 2027 continental tournament.

The coach had also brought seven new faces into the squad as he continued to build depth around an experienced core.

South Africa had arrived in Johannesburg as the stronger side on paper after winning their opening two Group D matches against Guinea and Eritrea, while Kenya had collected one point from their opening two games.

The draw therefore gives Kenya more than just a point.

It provides evidence that McCarthy’s side can withstand pressure, recover from setbacks and compete with a team that had made the stronger start to the qualifying campaign.

But the job is not finished. Bafana Bafana will now travel to Kenya for the return fixture at Nyayo National Stadium on Tuesday, November 17, where Harambee Stars will have another opportunity to measure their progress against South Africa.

After a night in which Olunga made history and Ogam rescued a point, the second meeting will offer McCarthy another chance to see how far his team has come.