- The Harambee Stars secured a 3-3 draw against Gambia in the World Cup qualifiers due to a last-minute goal from William Lenkupae.
- Kenya overcame a two-goal deficit and a missed penalty by the Scorpions to secure an important draw.
- Benni McCarthy expressed joy over what he observed during his inaugural match as the Harambee Stars' coach.
Benni McCarthy's debut as the Harambee Stars coach concluded with a thrilling 3-3 tie against The Gambia.
Kenya seemed headed for defeat until William Lenkupae scored an late equalizer, helping them secure a draw.
The progression of the match between Kenya and Gambia unfolds.
In contrast to the turmoil of the latter part, the initial segment remained relatively calm. Musa Barrow failed to convert a penalty kick, and Kenyan team leader Michael Olunga could not score an open-header chance.
During the latter part of the match, The Gambia’s performance was impressive from the start of the second half. Barrow scored an outstanding goal, which was soon followed by Yankuba Minteh from Brighton doubling their lead in the 60th minute.
Olunga narrowed Kenya's deficit with a successful penalty kick. Later, substitute Mohamed Bajaber equalized dramatically in the 75th minute, prompting Kenya to search for a winning goal.
Nevertheless, Barrow took advantage of Kenya's lapse in defense, giving the Scorpions a 3-2 lead. It seemed that McCarthy’s debut match would conclude with a loss, yet there was further excitement to be had.
With only one minute left, Lenkupae executed a throw-in and scored, leveling the match at 3-3, which secured a significant outcome for Kenya.
Nevertheless, they must secure victories in their upcoming matches to stand a chance of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. Their first home game under McCarthy will be against Gabon on Sunday.
After the match against Kenya, what remarks did Benni McCarthy make?
Benni McCarthy expressed satisfaction with the battling attitude displayed by his squad, having taken over coaching duties on a few occasions now.
"Luckily, the lads showed great determination, strength of character, and vibrant personalities—they never gave up and fought until the very end, managing to secure one final chance," he stated.
Even though the outcome doesn't bode well for their qualification prospects, the South African believes there is significant potential for enhancement.
In total, a tie isn’t beneficial for us or Gambia. I’m pleased with the point and encouraged by what I’ve observed; there’s much room for advancement. Today’s positive outlook offers me some hope that we can surpass our performance from this match.
Many of them have shared all their possessions and even more with us. Therefore, we feel extremely delighted and proud that they returned not once but twice.
Kenya will get a two-day respite prior to facing Gabon on Sunday, which marks their second match since McCarthy took charge.
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Key Takeaways From The Match Between Gambia And Kenya
INSPIRATIONS DIGITAL.co.ke Previously, I mentioned several insights we gained from Harambee Stars' thrilling 3-3 tie with the Gambia.
It seemed that McCarthy's group had a strategy in place, and part of the older members should step aside to accommodate new talent.
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