Result of the 13 November 2026 match: South Africa drew 2–2 with Kenya in Johannesburg, according to ESPN’s match record. This article was published as a pre-match preview; read the result report and Ogam’s late equaliser.
South Africa host Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg on Friday, 13 November 2026, before the teams meet again in Nairobi on 17 November. The South African federation's statement of 9 November confirms an 18:00 local kick-off for the opening AFCON qualifier, also 18:00 in Jerusalem on that date.
Mosimane calls for care
Pitso Mosimane led the squad's first camp session at Milpark Stadium on Monday, 9 November. In comments published by the federation, he urged caution against opponents facing pressure and motivated to respond.
CAF's preview of 11 November places South Africa on six points after winning their first two qualifiers. Kenya are coached by former South Africa international Benni McCarthy, adding a specific football connection to the fixture. Guinea and Eritrea are the other teams in Group D.
Kenya's host status changes the qualification route
CAF's format announcement explains that Kenya are already qualified as co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Only the highest-placed other team advances from their group, unlike the two qualifying positions in groups without a host. South Africa's task therefore depends on their position relative to the other contenders as well as these head-to-head matches.
Johannesburg remains a competitive qualifier with full points at stake despite Kenya's automatic finals berth. The return takes the teams to another city, so the first-leg venue should not be attached to both matches. The federation's notice does not establish a confirmed kick-off time for Nairobi; this report consequently gives only the announced date and city for that return fixture.
Pitso Mosimane at an introductory press conference in Iran on 25 October 2024; archival, not from the current South Africa camp. Image credit: فاطمه عموزاد — Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 4.0.
