Dramatic McCarthy Debut as Kenya Secures Thrilling World Cup Draw
Benni McCarthy made his coaching debut with Kenya, achieving a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia. Despite Gambia initially leading, Kenya equalized in added time. Concurrently, various other groups in the World Cup qualifiers have seen surprising results, including Benin’s draw with Zimbabwe and Mozambique’s ascent to Group G’s top position after defeating Uganda.
In a dramatic turn of events, Benni McCarthy embarked on his coaching journey with Kenya, resulting in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia in the World Cup qualifiers. The match, which took place in Abidjan, featured a lackluster first half, highlighted by Musa Barrow’s missed penalty.
The second half ignited excitement as Gambia took a two-goal lead. Yet, Kenya’s William Wilson scored an equalizer in added time, capitalizing on a defensive error. Barrow redeemed himself by scoring twice, with Yankuba Minteh contributing to Gambia’s tally. Kenyan goals came from a penalty converted by Michael Olunga and a strike by Mohammed Bajaber.
McCarthy expressed confidence in his team, noting their potential to surprise by qualifying for the World Cup. Gabon currently leads Group F, with a meeting against Kenya scheduled. Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions, follow closely with ten points.
In Group C, Benin climbed to the top despite squandering a two-goal advantage, drawing 2-2 against Zimbabwe. Knowledge Musona’s equalizer for Zimbabwe showcased the group’s competitiveness. Nigeria, struggling with three points, now faces Rwanda under new coach Eric Chelle.
Sierra Leone experienced a successful coaching debut with Mohamed Kallon, defeating Guinea-Bissau 3-1 to move up in Group A. Meanwhile, Mozambique’s victory over Uganda, led by Pedro Santos, elevated them to the top of Group G, highlighting their impressive performance in the qualifiers.
Matches across various groups have been notable for upsets and shifts in team standings, reflecting the dynamic and unpredictable nature of the qualification process for the 2026 World Cup.
Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s coach marked a significant moment in World Cup qualifying, showcasing the excitement of a dramatic draw against Gambia. With key performances from players on both sides, the match underscored the unpredictability of the tournament. Other groups have also seen surprising outcomes, setting the stage for an intriguing qualification process as teams vie for a prestigious spot in the upcoming World Cup.
Original Source: www.france24.com
