Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s head coach ended in a 3-3 draw against Gambia in World Cup qualifiers. Gambia initially led by two goals, but Kenya equalized late. Gabon tops Group F, while Benin leads Group C despite a draw. Sierra Leone and Mozambique also had victories, with tight competitions in their respective groups.
Benni McCarthy’s tenure as Kenya’s head coach commenced with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia in a World Cup qualifier. The first half was uneventful, with Gambia’s Musa Barrow missing a penalty. However, the match gained intensity after halftime, with Gambia initially taking a two-goal lead before Kenya rallied to draw level deep in stoppage time, thanks to William Wilson’s late goal.
Barrow redeemed his penalty miss by scoring two goals, while Yankuba Minteh also contributed a goal for Gambia. Kenya’s scoring came from Michael Olunga, who converted a penalty, and substitute Mohammed Bajaber. McCarthy expressed optimism about Kenya’s prospects in the qualifiers, aiming for the nation’s first World Cup appearance.
In another qualifying match, Gabon defeated Seychelles 3-0, leading Group F with 12 points ahead of their upcoming match against Kenya. Ivory Coast stands second with 10 points and will compete against Burundi, with group winners securing direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup.
Benin maintained the lead in Group C despite a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe, having lost a two-goal advantage. Steve Mounie and Dokou Dodo scored early for Benin, but Zimbabwe equalized with goals from Marshall Munetsi and Knowledge Musona. The competition is tight, with Benin on eight points, while Rwanda and South Africa follow closely with seven.
Other notable performances include Mohamed Kallon’s first match as Sierra Leone’s head coach, leading to a 3-1 win over Guinea-Bissau, placing them second in Group A, behind leaders Egypt. Mozambique topped Group G with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, bolstered by Pedro Santos’s two goals. Matches took place at neutral venues due to the absence of FIFA-approved stadiums in the participating countries.
The article highlights the ongoing drama of the World Cup qualifiers in Africa, focusing on Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s head coach. It covers the intense matches in various groups, with Gambia and Benin showing strong performances despite setbacks. Overall, the competition is fierce as teams vie for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup, underscoring the importance of each match in securing their chances.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
