NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 26 – Ryan Ogam rescued Kenya from defeat after tapping home a late winner to help hosts Harambee Stars salvage a 1-1 draw against Eritrea in the opening round of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier match staged at a packed Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday evening.
With the match seeming to be destined for Eritrea, Gor Mahia midfielder Stanley Omondi provided an assist with a fine cross that found Ogam right at the near post to tap home in the 87th minute and give Kenya the equaliser.
Harambee Stars had conceded a first-half goal after a defensive blunder from Manzur Okwaro, who saw Eritrean attacker Ali Sulieman win the ball just at the edge of the D-area for his teammate Nahom Girmai to pounce on the ball and smash it at the far right corner beyond Kenya keeper Bryne Omondi in the 29th minute.
Kenya, who sits third on the log in Group D with just one point, travel to Guinea next Thursday for their second match.
South Africa lead the pool with three points after edging out Guinea in Johannesburg.
Kenya has already qualified for the continental showpiece by virtue of being co-hosts along with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.
