AFCON: Benni Ends Pitso’s Winning Run With…

Bafana Bafana’s winning run under Pitso Mosimane came to an end after a 2-2 draw against Benni McCarthy’s Kenya in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier on Friday night.

2027 Africa Cup of Nations Qualifier
Teams: South Africa v Kenya
Result: 2-2
Scorers: Wanjala OG (9′), Mofokeng (77′) / Olunga (41′), Ogam (90′)

Pitso Mosimane kept faith with Olwethu Makhanya and Ime Okon in defence as Chicago Fire star Mbekezile Mbokazi started on the bench while Iqraam Rayners got the nod ahead of the returning Lyle Foster to lead the frontline.

The hosts survived an early scare as Ronwen Williams produced fine save inside the opening minute, but they went on to get the opening goal after nine minutes when the high-press forced Kenyan defender Amos Wanjala to divert the ball into his own net.

McCarthy’s charges were unable to get their foot on the ball after going behind and spent most of the half looking to attack Bafana on the counter, while the duo of Okon and Makhanya did well to frustrate Michael Olunga.

The South Africans kept things ticking as the first half went on, with Relebohile Mofokeng seeing a lot of the ball and combining effortlessly with his teammates, although they were unable to carve out another clear-cut opening.

Kenya, however, were given a lifeline in the final five minutes of the first half after being award a penalty for Thabang Matluidi’s handball. Olunga stepped up and calmly slotted home to restore parity for the visiting side.

Check out out the Bafana Bafana action in the gallery above.

South Africa should have restored their lead early in the second half when Iqraam Rayners was slipped through on goal, however the Mamelodi Sundowns striker was denied by goalkeeper Byrne Omondi in a one-on-one opportunity.

That proved to be Rayners’ last big involvement as he made way for Foster, who was making his first Bafana appearance since the FIFA World Cup while Puso Dithejane replaced Tshepang Moremi on the right side of the attack.

Dithejane looked to get himself involved immediately as he provided a real threat down the right flank by putting in a couple inviting deliveries into the box, although Foster was unable to convert.

Foster’s impact did pay off with 16 minutes to play as striker did well to combine with Mofokeng in the box, with the latter showing the composure to volley into the top corner for his first Bafana goal on home soil.

However, Orlando Amstel Arena was silenced in the 90th minute when substitute Ryan Ogam did well to carve out some space on the edge of the box before sending a lovely low strike into the far corner to the visitors a share of the spoils.

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