Harambee Stars secured a 1-1 draw against Eritrea through Ryan Ogam’s late equaliser.
Ryan Ogam struck in the 85th minute as Kenya recovered from Nahom Netabay’s opener to claim a point in their AFCON 2027 qualifier on Saturday.
Harambee Stars needed an 85th-minute equaliser from Ryan Ogam to salvage a 1-1 draw against Eritrea in their AFCON 2027 qualifier on Saturday, after a frustrating attacking display left Kenya chasing the match.
Nahom Netabay had put the visitors ahead in the 37th minute, capitalising on a defensive error to beat Byrne Omondi. Kenya eventually responded through Ogam, who converted a low delivery from substitute Ben Stanley with five minutes of normal time remaining.
The hosts pressed for a winning goal, but Shariff Musa sent a late opportunity over the bar, leaving Kenya with a point after narrowly avoiding defeat.
Kenya struggle to turn urgency into chances
Kenya began with attacking intent but found clear openings difficult to create. Eritrea were comfortable enough in possession to pass through midfield and carried a threat whenever they broke forward.
Ogam had Kenya’s best chance of the opening half in the 11th minute. He collected a through ball and used a feint to get past a defender, but 19-year-old Eritrean goalkeeper Jonathan Sultan pushed away his attempt.
Job Ochieng offered an outlet down the left, although Eritrea’s defence repeatedly limited his progress. Kenya continued to search for a way through without producing the final ball needed to unsettle the visitors consistently.
Eritrea appealed for a penalty in the 32nd minute after Haniff Wesonga appeared to handle inside Kenya’s penalty area. The referee allowed play to continue.
Netabay opener draws half-time boos
Five minutes after that appeal, Eritrea took the lead. A mistake in Kenya’s defence allowed Netabay to fire a low shot past Omondi, putting the hosts under pressure before the interval.
The home supporters voiced their disappointment with boos as Harambee Stars left the field at half-time. Eritrea’s travelling fans, meanwhile, celebrated a lead their team had protected through the remainder of the first half.
Both teams attacked with greater urgency after the restart. Eritrea continued to exploit the wide areas on the counter, while Kenya looked increasingly to corners and other set pieces for a route back into the contest.
Substitutes help drive late response
Kenya changed personnel in the 63rd minute, introducing Ben Stanley and Stanley Wilson for Job Ochieng and Timothy Ouma. The fresh legs gradually gave the home attack more energy.
Mohamed Bajaber, who replaced Manzur, threatened an equaliser in the 75th minute. He worked his way through Eritrea’s defence, but Sultan turned his shot behind for a corner.
Shariff Musa and Amos Wanjala then came on for Micah Obiero and Rooney in the 77th minute. Musa quickly offered a different threat on the right, running behind the fullback and stretching the visiting defence.
Erambo tested Sultan in the 83rd minute, with the goalkeeper punching his effort away. Two minutes later, Kenya finally found the breakthrough as Stanley sent a low cross into the area and Ogam reacted first to finish, sparking celebrations among the home fans.
Bajaber remained involved as Kenya pursued a second goal. His dangerous late cross gave Musa a chance to complete the turnaround, but the winger lifted his effort over the crossbar.
The draw rewarded Kenya’s late pressure, although their difficulties creating chances and the defensive lapse that led to Eritrea’s goal left the hosts settling for a rescue rather than a victory.
