Bafana have six points from two qualifiers and Kenya twice in November. The home match is at Orlando Amstel Arena on 13 November, with the return in Nairobi four days later. Kenya's automatic qualification does not make either game a friendly.
Current position: 2 November 2026
Pitso Mosimane's side beat Guinea 2-1 and Eritrea 5-0 to start Group D with two wins. Seven goals scored and one conceded give Bafana a strong start, not a place at the finals.
| Date | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 26 September 2026 | South Africa v Guinea | 2-1 |
| 30 September 2026 | Eritrea v South Africa | 0-5 |
South Africa also beat Egypt 1-0 in a friendly. That result belongs in the form record, but it adds nothing to their six qualifying points.
Fixtures and dates
| Date / window | Match | Venue / SAST |
|---|---|---|
| 13 November 2026 | South Africa v Kenya | Orlando Amstel Arena, Johannesburg; 18:00 |
| 17 November 2026 | Kenya v South Africa | Nairobi; kick-off to be confirmed |
| March 2027 | Guinea v South Africa | Away fixture |
| March 2027 | South Africa v Eritrea | Home fixture |
Benni McCarthy brings Kenya to Johannesburg for the first match. The four-day turnaround then moves the same contest to Nairobi, so the home result will shape how much pressure follows Bafana on the trip.
One qualifying place alongside Kenya
Kenya qualify automatically as co-hosts of AFCON 2027, alongside Tanzania and Uganda. Only the highest-placed team other than Kenya advances from Group D.
Bafana therefore need to finish above Guinea and Eritrea. Matches against Kenya still count towards the standings, even though Kenya do not need the points to qualify.
The opening win over Guinea matters for precisely that reason. South Africa have already taken three points from a direct rival, with the away meeting still to come in March.
Mbokazi and Mbatha return to the preliminary squad
Mbekezeli Mbokazi and Thalente Mbatha were recalled to the preliminary group after missing the previous camp through injury. Their return gives Mosimane two players to assess before the Kenya double-header.
The 5-0 win over Eritrea supplies the biggest scoreline of the campaign so far. Guinea held Bafana to a much tighter 2-1 result, leaving two quite different matches behind the six-point total.
The AFCON qualifier previews cover the individual games. The Premiership table and fixtures put the domestic players' club form alongside the international schedule.
Our South African betting sites guide handles the operator comparison. A qualification outright and a 90-minute Kenya match market cover different outcomes, so keep the bet type clear.
Questions about Bafana: AFCON qualifying
When do Bafana Bafana play Kenya at home?
South Africa host Kenya at Orlando Amstel Arena in Johannesburg on 13 November 2026 at 18:00 SAST.
When is Kenya v South Africa?
The return qualifier is in Nairobi on 17 November 2026. The kick-off time is still to be confirmed.
How many points do Bafana have?
South Africa have six points from wins over Guinea and Eritrea, with seven goals scored and one conceded.
How many teams qualify from Bafana's group?
Kenya qualify automatically as co-hosts. Only the highest-placed side other than Kenya also qualifies from Group D.