Bafana Bafana go into Friday’s AFCON qualifier against Kenya with history firmly on their side.
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The two countries have met four times, and South Africa have never been beaten. Bafana have three wins and a draw, with six goals scored and two conceded. Kenya have also never scored against South Africa from open play: both of their goals came from the penalty spot.
Friday’s game at Orlando Stadium will be the first time the sides have met in a World Cup or AFCON qualifier. All four previous games were friendlies or regional tournament matches.
1996: South Africa 1-0 Kenya (Durban)
The first meeting came at the Simba Four Nations tournament at Kings Park, seven months after Bafana won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. Dumisa Ngobe scored the only goal.
2002: Kenya 1-1 South Africa (Arusha)
The closest Kenya have come to beating Bafana was in the Castle Lager Cup in Tanzania. Lebohang Kukame put South Africa ahead before Nicholas Muyoti equalised from the penalty spot. Kenya went through 5-3 on penalties, but the result goes down as a draw.
2011: South Africa 2-0 Kenya (Rustenburg)
Bafana’s biggest win in the fixture came in a friendly in Rustenburg, with Davide Somma and Steven Pienaar scoring in the first half. The coach that day was Pitso Mosimane, who will be in the dugout again on Friday.
Also see: Pitso Mosimane announces Bafana Bafana squad for 2027 AFCON qualifiers
2012: Kenya 1-2 South Africa (Nairobi)
The last meeting was in Nairobi. Tokelo Rantie gave Bafana the lead before Dennis Oliech equalised from the spot, and a Christopher Wekesa own goal won it for South Africa.
Benni McCarthy’s chance
This time there is an extra twist. Kenya are coached by Benni McCarthy, Bafana’s all-time leading scorer, who finished his playing career at Orlando Pirates. A first Kenyan win over South Africa, at Orlando Stadium of all places, would be a big result for him.
Featured image: Gallo Images/Sydney Seshibedi
Originally published by Soccermag.
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