South Africa vs Kenya Predictions - Bafana Bafana to win AFCON Qualifier in Orlando

Ralph Staniforth

Editor

Last updated: 2 hours ago

Ralph Staniforth 2 hours ago

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South Africa are tipped to win to nil against Kenya.
Bafana Bafana have won three straight matches and kept three clean sheets in their last five.
Kenya have won only two of their last ten matches.

South Africa to beat Kenya on Friday night in Soweto (Getty Images).

South Africa vs Kenya Predictions

I see South Africa beating countryman Benni McCarthy’s Kenya side. I’m tipping a clean sheet and Bafana to score two goals vs Kenya once again.
South Africa vs Kenya Predictions
Key Stats – South Africa Win to Zero
Head to Head – Two Bafana Wins
Three Straight Wins – Bafana Back in Form after One Win in Nine
Two Wins in 10 Matches – Kenya Struggling of Late
Team News

Key Stats – South Africa Win to Zero

South Africa have won their last 3 matches.

South Africa have kept clean sheets in 3 of their last 5 matches.

Kenya have lost 3 of their last 6 away matches.

Kenya have lost their last 2 matches vs South Africa.

Head to Head – Two Bafana Wins

These nations have met on just two previous occasions.

South Africa won 2-0 in 2011 and 2-1 in 2012 in a match played in Nairobi.

Three Straight Wins – Bafana Back in Form after One Win in Nine

Former coach Hugo Broos oversaw just one win in his final nine matches in charge. Under new coach Pitso Mosimane, it’s three wins from three matches.

Bafana Bafana made it to the round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup, despite losing 2-0 in Mexico in their opener. A 1-1 draw with Czechia was followed by a 1-0 win over South Korea and then a 1-0 loss to Canada.

AFCON qualifying got underway in October with 2-1 win vs Guinea and a 5-0 rout of Eritrea. In an international friendly, South Africa went to Cairo and beat Egypt 1-0 for a famous win.

Two Wins in 10 Matches – Kenya Struggling of Late

Kenya have automatic qualification for the 2027 AFCON as co-hosts. In their Group D matches so far, they have one point from two fixtures.

The Harambee Stars have won just two of their last ten matches in a variety of competitions. In June, they drew 1-1 vs Lesotho and beat ten-man Lesotho 4-0 in two friendlies vs the small nation.

In October’s extended FIFA break, they opened their AFCON qualifying group with a 1-1 draw against Eritrea before suffering a narrow 1-0 defeat away to Guinea.

Their final match of the international window saw a 0-0 draw away vs Rwanda. It was a steady result despite their opponents being 19 places lower in the FIFA rankings.

Team News

South Africa:

Coach Pitso Mosimane is without speedy winger Thapelo Maseko due to injury. Teboho Mokoena is set to start despite needing heavy strapping on an injured knee.

Mbekezeli Mbokazi is available to start in defence after missing the last FIFA break. Siyanda Ndlovu is pushing for a debut on the right wing.

Squad in Full:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns), Sipho Chaine (Orlando Pirates), Ricardo Goss (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba (Mamelodi Sundowns), Samukele Kabini (Molde, Norway), Fawaaz Basadien (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Thabang Matuludi (Mamelodi Sundowns), Olwethu Makhanya (Rangers, Scotland), Ime Okon (Hannover 96, Germany), Lebone Seema (Orlando Pirates), Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire, USA).

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Yaya Sithole (Tondela, Portugal), Bathusi Aubaas (Mamelodi Sundowns), Brooklyn Poggenpoel (Durban City), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates).

Forwards: Iqraam Rayners (Mamelodi Sundowns), Cassius Mailula (Mamelodi Sundowns), Oswin Appollis (Orlando Pirates), Tashreeq Matthews (Mamelodi Sundowns), Relebohile Mofokeng (Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Belgium), Luther Singh (AEL Limassol, Cyprus), Lyle Foster (Houston Dynamo, USA), Tshepang Moremi (Orlando Pirates), Puso Dithejane (Chicago Fire, USA), Siyanda Ndlovu (Mamelodi Sundowns).

Kenya:

Coach Benni McCarthy has recalled captain Michael Olunga in attack after an injury kept him out for five months.

Defender Eric Marcelo Ouma is also back after a ruptured Achilles tendon sustained in August 2025. Midfielder Alwyn Tera is also back after a lengthy international absence.

Squad in Full:

Goalkeepers: Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Brian Bwire (Tusker), Faruk Shikalo (Nairobi United).

Defenders: Abud Omar (Tusker), Frank Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Amos Wanjala (Valencia), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Eric Marcelo Ouma (Raków Częstochowa), Stanley Wilson (AIK), Vincent Harper (Exeter City), Ronney Onyango (Sogndal FC), Hannif Wesonga (Jamus FC).

Midfielders: Manzur Okwaro (Stade de Reims), Alwyn Tera (Ararat-Armenia), Henry Ochieng (Slough Town), Zak Vyner (Wrexham).

Forwards: Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Mohammed Bajaber (Nairobi United), Will Lenkupae (Tulsa), Adam Wilson (New Saints), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Michael Olunga (Al-Arabi), Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège), Micah Obiero (Carlisle).

Verdict

South Africa v Kenya

I see South Africa winning this match with a clean sheet. I'm tipping a 2-0 win.

South Africa Win

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@1,60 - 3 Units

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S. Africa Win to Nil

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SA 2-0 Kenya

Correct Score

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Ralph Staniforth is a South African sports journalist, editor and betting writer who has worked in sports media since 2012.

With a background in Sports Science, he has covered a wide range of sports and interviewed leading players and coaches across South African rugby, cricket and football.

His sports betting work covers both South African and international markets, combining his knowledge of sport with extensive experience analysing fixtures, teams, form and betting markets.

Ralph specialises in football and rugby, while also covering cricket, tennis and golf. His work includes match previews, betting tips, betting guides and broader analysis of the sports betting industry.

You can find more from Ralph at Muckrack and LinkedIn.