Harambee Stars secured a 1-1 draw against Eritrea in their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier played at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The match started on a high note, with the home side dominating possession and creating the better chances in the opening stages.
However, Eritrea’s defence proved difficult to break down as Harambee Stars struggled to turn their pressure into a goal.
The visitors were also reluctant to commit many players forward, choosing instead to remain compact and look for opportunities on the counter.
Harambee Stars came close to taking the lead in the 34th minute when Micar Obiero unleashed a powerful long-range effort, but Eritrea goalkeeper Yonathan Sultan was alert and made the save.
A minute later, Eritrea took the lead after capitalising on a defensive lapse by Kenya. Nahom Girmai picked up a loose ball before firing it into the back of the net, with Ali Suleiman providing the assist.
Harambee Stars tried to respond immediately but struggled to find a way through the Eritrean defence.
Ryan Ogam came close to restoring parity in the 43rd minute, but his effort sailed over the bar.
Just before the break, Obiero picked out Ogam with a good pass, but Sultan once again stood firm to deny the Kenyan striker.
Harambee Stars resumed the second half with greater urgency and began knocking on Eritrea’s door from the opening minutes.
Job Ochieng was brought down at the edge of the box in the 50th minute, giving Kenya a good opportunity from a free-kick. Timothy Ouma, however, sent his effort over the bar.
McCarthy made his first changes in the 63rd minute, bringing on Ben Stanley Omondi for Ochieng and Stanley Wilson for Ouma.
The changes gave Kenya more stability in the final third.
Mohamed Bajaber was introduced in the 70th minute, replacing Manzur Okwaro, as Kenya continued to search for an equaliser.
Five minutes later, Stanley Wilson came close with an effort from outside the box, but Sultan was again equal to the challenge.
A minute later, Bajaber was set up by Ogam and unleashed a powerful shot, only for the Eritrean goalkeeper to make another important save.
McCarthy made his final changes in the 79th minute, bringing on Shariff Musa and Amos Wanjala for Obiero and Rooney Onyango respectively.
Musa almost levelled the scores a minute later after Bajaber set him up, but Sultan once again kept him out.
Three minutes later, Duke Abuya found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he punched his effort away. Bajaber followed up with a powerful strike that went over the bar.
Harambee Stars continued to press and were finally rewarded in the 88th minute.
Ben Stanley Omondi produced a strong individual run, taking on his marker before delivering a cross into the box.
Ogam was in the right place at the right time and finished the move to send the packed Nyayo Stadium into celebration.
Kenya pushed for a winner in the closing minutes, but time ran out and the match ended 1-1.
What Next?
The result leaves South Africa at the top of Group D after their 2-1 win over Guinea. Eritrea moved into second place, while Kenya sit third, with Guinea bottom on zero points.
The match also marked Eritrea’s return to competitive international football after 19 years.
Kenya will travel to Guinea for their second Group D match on October 1, while Eritrea will host South Africa in Cairo, Egypt, on Wednesday, September 30.
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