AFCON 2027: Harambee Stars Draw to Extend 23-year Wait for Victory over Eritrea

Ryan Ogam rescued a point for Kenya with an 87th-minute equaliser as Harambee Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Eritrea in their opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, September 26th, 2026.

The result means Kenya will have to wait even longer for a first victory over the Red Sea Camels, with their last win coming on 2 December 2003 when they edged Eritrea 3-2 in Kassala, Sudan, during the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup.

A mistake in possession by Manzur Okwaro in a dangerous area allowed Nahom Girmai to pounce, with the Eritrean finishing to give the visitors a 1-0 lead in the 36th minute and silence the Nyayo crowd.

Ben Stanley delivered a teasing cross into the box, and Ogam was on hand to meet it, tapping home from close range to send Nyayo into celebration.

Kenya were forced to settle for a point, leaving McCarthy's side with work to do as they prepare to travel to Conakry for their next Group D qualifier against Guinea on 1 October.

The Stars will be seeking their first victory of the qualifying campaign against a Guinea side that, alongside South Africa, completes a competitive Group D.

Harambee Stars headed into the match on the back of inadequate preparations occasioned by a go-slow that they underwent in protest over unpaid allowances.

Today's action was the first time that the national team was in action since 6 June. Moreover, it was the first match that Harambee Stars were hosting on Kenyan soil for over a year with the last clash traced back 9 September 2025 against Seychelles.