AFCON 2027 Qualifiers: Bafana Bafana boast dominant record against East Africa as Kenya face daunting test

South Africa will look to extend their impressive record against East African opposition when they host Kenya in a 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Orlando Stadium on Friday.

Bafana Bafana head into the encounter with a strong historical advantage, having won 19 of their 30 previous meetings with teams from the region, alongside seven draws and just four defeats.

That record puts added pressure on Kenya, who are yet to register a victory against South Africa in their four previous encounters.

The two nations have not met since 2012, making Friday’s fixture their first meeting in 14 years. It will also mark their first contest in a major qualifying competition, raising the stakes as both teams pursue qualification for the 2027 AFCON tournament.

Kenya are among five East African nations that have never beaten Bafana Bafana. Uganda, who have faced South Africa seven times, Burundi and South Sudan, with two meetings each, and Eritrea, with one encounter, share that distinction.

South Africa have also enjoyed considerable attacking success against teams from the region, scoring 52 goals while conceding just 24 across their 30 encounters.

Their four defeats have come against Rwanda and Ethiopia in World Cup qualifiers, Sudan in an AFCON qualifier and Tanzania in the COSAFA Cup.

Bafana will therefore approach Friday’s meeting confident of maintaining their dominance, although Kenya will be determined to rewrite the historical narrative.

Bafana’s impressive home record offers further encouragement

South Africa’s record becomes even more impressive when playing East African opposition on home soil.

In 15 home matches against teams from the region, Bafana have secured 10 victories and four draws, suffering just one defeat.

That solitary loss came against Tanzania in the 2017 COSAFA Cup when South Africa fielded an under-strength team.

Despite their strong home performances, Bafana have actually scored more goals against East African opponents away from home and at neutral venues.

They have registered 28 goals outside South Africa, compared to 24 in matches played in front of their own supporters.

Their record in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying competitions is equally impressive, with 11 victories from 13 matches against East African nations.

South Africa have scored 28 goals and conceded only eight in those encounters, further highlighting their historical superiority in this particular contest.

Sudan remain Bafana’s only AFCON qualifying stumbling block

South Africa’s only defeat against an East African opponent in AFCON qualifying came against Sudan in March 2021.

Bafana suffered a 2-0 loss away from home in a result that proved costly for then-head coach Molefi Ntseki.

The defeat ultimately contributed to his departure after South Africa failed to secure qualification for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Cameroon.

In the current qualifying campaign, Bafana have already demonstrated their strength against East African opposition.

They recorded a convincing 5-0 victory over Eritrea at a neutral venue in Cairo during their second Group D fixture.

That performance provides further encouragement ahead of Friday’s clash, although Kenya will present another challenge as South Africa seek to maintain their strong record.

With history firmly favouring the hosts, Bafana will be eager to extend their dominance, while Kenya have an opportunity to achieve a landmark result by securing their first-ever victory over South Africa.