Kenya face South Africa in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Soweto.
Ryan Ogam urges Kenya to attack in Soweto as Benni McCarthy returns to his homeland for a testing AFCON qualifier.
Friday’s Harambee Stars qualifier against South Africa gives Kenya another chance to end their winless run against Bafana Bafana. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations match kicks off at 7pm EAT at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg.
The fixture marks the teams’ first competitive meeting after four friendlies. South Africa won three of those encounters and drew the other, scoring six goals and conceding two.
Bafana won 1-0 in 1996 before a 1-1 draw in 2002, when Kenya prevailed in the penalty shootout. South Africa then won 2-0 in 2011 and 2-1 in Nairobi in 2012.
Ogam calls for confidence in Harambee Stars qualifier
However, Kenya striker Ryan Ogam believes his teammates have enough quality to challenge the hosts. He has urged them to attack rather than let South Africa control the match.
The 21-year-old, on loan at Belgian club RFC Liege, acknowledged South Africa’s quality and home advantage. Even so, he said Kenya should approach the contest without fear because their squad also has good players.
Ogam wants the Stars to fight for every ball and take the game to their opponents. He also said the team had worked hard in camp and must now demonstrate its ability on the pitch.
Kenya’s recent results, however, underline the challenge facing coach Benni McCarthy. The Stars have managed only one victory in five matches this year.
Group leaders await McCarthy’s return
Kenya began with a 1-1 friendly draw against Lesotho in June, then beat the same opponents 4-0. They subsequently opened their Group D campaign with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea before losing 1-0 to Guinea.
Last month, Kenya also drew 0-0 with Rwanda in a friendly. South Africa, meanwhile, lead Group D with six points and a goal difference of plus six.
Bafana beat Guinea 2-1 at home before defeating Eritrea 5-0 in Cairo. Two victories over Kenya would therefore strengthen their pursuit of the group’s available qualification place.
Kenya already have a place at the finals as co-hosts alongside Tanzania and Uganda. However, the fixtures offer McCarthy’s side an opportunity to improve their results against strong opposition.
For McCarthy, South Africa’s all-time leading scorer, Friday brings his first return to his homeland as Kenya coach. The teams will then meet again at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Tuesday next week.
