South Africa dropped their first points since Pitso Mosimane's return as a 90th minute long-range strike from Ryan Ogam salvaged a 2-2 draw for Benni McCarthy's Kenya at Orlando Stadium in Friday's Group D 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Bafana Bafana took the lead in the ninth minute through a calamitous Amos Wanjala own goal, as his backpass rolled past Bryne Omondi. Chaotic defending from Kenya had already allowed Bafana three clear chances by then, but they had not been taken.
In the 44th minute, Michael Olunga levelled the scores from the penalty spot against the run of play after Thabang Matuludi's raised arm caught the ball off a Sylvester Owino flick-on at the back post from an Adam Wilson free-kick.
Apart from Wilson's bicycle-kick in the first minute, which Ronwen Williams had tipped over that penalty was essentially Kenya's only clear-cut chance of the half. This time, Olunga sent Williams the wrong way to score.
Bafana were lethargic at the start of the second half but found their rhythm after the introduction of Puso Dithejane and Lyle Foster off the bench. Relebohile Mofokeng put Mosimane's side back in front with a beautiful 77th minute goal. The Union Saint-Gilloise attacking midfielder received a peach of a pass from Oswin Appollis, playing a one-two off Foster before burying his shot.
However, Olwethu Makhanya's mistake cost Bafana dearly in the dying minutes of the game as he allowed the ball to bounce once it had been launched forward, also allowing Ogam to slip in behind him and drill a low long-range drive past Williams.
Guinea had earlier beaten Eritrea 2-1 on Thursday to go onto six points from three games ahead of Bafana's Friday clash with the Harambee Stars. South Africa still top the group with seven points from three games, but their lead has been whittled down to a solitary point midway through the qualifiers.
South Africa will meet Kenya again in Nairobi on Nov. 17.