Benni McCarthy debuted as Kenya’s coach with an exciting 3-3 draw against Gambia in World Cup qualifiers. The match featured late goals and showcased Gambia’s Musa Barrow’s performance. Gabon leads Group F, while Group C sees Benin top despite draws. Other notable wins occurred for Sierra Leone and Mozambique, increasing the competitive atmosphere across groups.
Former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy made a dramatic debut as Kenya’s national team coach, achieving a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia during World Cup qualifiers. The match, held in Abidjan, witnessed a lackluster first half where Gambian player Musa Barrow missed a penalty. However, it picked up when William Wilson equalized for Kenya in the dying moments of injury time after Gambia had twice taken the lead.
Gambia initially led 2-0 with Barrow scoring two goals after a penalty miss, while Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh contributed another. Kenya’s goals came from a penalty converted by Michael Olunga and a follow-up from substitute Mohammed Bajaber. McCarthy expressed confidence in Kenya’s ability to qualify for the World Cup, believing they can surprise many critics.
In Group F, Gabon tops the standings after defeating Seychelles 3-0, while reigning African champions Ivory Coast hold second with 10 points ahead of their match against Burundi. Kenya currently sits at sixth with six points, with Gambia having four points and Seychelles yet to score.
Meanwhile, in Group C, Benin rose to the top of a competitive group despite drawing 2-2 with Zimbabwe. The match showcased notable performances from veteran players and yielded significant ties among several teams, with Nigeria struggling at the bottom of the standings under the management of their third coach in this campaign.
In other highlights, Mohamed Kallon began his tenure as Sierra Leone’s coach on a high, leading the team to a 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau, moving them to second in Group A behind Egypt. Mozambique, through two goals from Pedro Santos, claimed a 3-1 victory over Uganda, taking the lead in Group G with 12 points. Many matches took place at neutral venues due to stadium approvals issues, impacting several participating teams.
Kenya’s draw against Gambia showcases Benni McCarthy’s debut impact and highlights competitive dynamics in World Cup qualification. Other groups are seeing intense battles, such as Benin’s rise in Group C and Mozambique taking the lead in Group G. The qualifications are proving unpredictable with significant performances by various teams and coaches, raising anticipation for upcoming matches.
Original Source: www.france24.com
