Kenya's Harambee Stars mounted a stirring second-half comeback to salvage a 1-1 draw against Eritrea in their opening fixture of the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, courtesy of a crucial 87th-minute strike from Ryan Ogam at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday. The dramatic finish prevented what would have been a damaging defeat for the hosts, who struggled for long stretches before substitute Ben Stanley Omondi's pinpoint cross set up Ogam's match-saving effort. The goal delivered a lifeline for coach Benni McCarthy's side, which had been forced to reshuffle their attacking setup following the last-minute absence of lead striker Michael Olunga due to injury.
Eritrea's opener came against the run of play in the 36th minute when Nahom Girmai, on loan at Swedish club Degerfors IF, capitalized on a defensive lapse to give the visiting Red Sea Camels a deserved advantage. The goal arrived following a costly error in Kenya's buildup play, with goalkeeper Ben Stanley Omondi's pass to midfielder Manzur Okwaro intercepted by Eritrea forward Ali Sulieman, who quickly fed Girmai to finish calmly. Despite Kenya's early dominance—including a near-miss from Ogam when he danced past Eritrea's goalkeeper Yonathan Sultan only to see his effort drift inches wide—the home side trailed at the interval with the Kenyan crowd visibly deflated.
With Olunga sidelined, Ogam started in the central striking role for Kenya, partnered with Job Ochieng in attack. McCarthy made the tactical adjustment of introducing Ben Stanley and Stanley Wilson from the bench in the 63rd minute, replacing Timothy Ouma and Ochieng respectively. The substitution proved pivotal, as Stanley's fresh impetus down the wing ultimately produced the assist that saved Kenya's campaign in qualifying. Ogam's timing on the cross was precise, allowing the youngster—who plays for Belgian Division 2 outfit RFC Liege on loan from Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC—to stab home the leveler. Despite the dramatic rescue, sections of the Nyayo crowd booed the draw at the final whistle, signaling frustration with the team's overall performance.
Kenya's preparations for the 2027 AFCON, which will be co-hosted in East Africa, now shift focus to a challenging trip to West Africa. The Harambee Stars face Guinea on October 1st at Stade du 28 Septembre in Conakry, where they must produce a significantly improved display to claim three points. The draw leaves McCarthy and his squad with plenty of work to do in a qualifying campaign that demands consistency and attacking efficiency—qualities that were largely absent during Saturday's opening match.