Dramatic McCarthy Debut as Kenya Secures World Cup Qualifying Draw

Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s coach resulted in a 3-3 draw against Gambia during World Cup qualifiers. The match featured intense moments including a missed penalty and last-minute equalizer by Kenya. Gabon leads Group F, while competitive matches in other groups see teams like Benin and Sierra Leone demonstrating impressive performances.

In a thrilling World Cup qualifying match, former Manchester United assistant coach Benni McCarthy made his debut as Kenya’s head coach, resulting in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Gambia. The match witnessed a contentious first half, highlighted by Musa Barrow’s missed penalty for Gambia. However, the second half was filled with excitement, culminating in a last-minute equalizer by William Wilson for Kenya in the added time.

Gambia initially took a two-goal lead, but Kenya clawed their way back with goals from Michael Olunga and substitute Mohammed Bajaber. Barrow redeemed himself by scoring twice for Gambia, while Yankuba Minteh also added to their tally. McCarthy expressed his belief in Kenya’s potential, stating they could “surprise a lot of people by qualifying for the World Cup.”

Gabon currently leads Group F with 12 points after their 3-0 victory over Seychelles, while Ivory Coast has 10 points. Kenya is in a tight race with Burundi and Gambia, with only the nine group winners securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup.

In other notable matches, Benin leads Group C despite a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe, where Knowledge Musona equalized late in the game. South Africa and Rwanda also remain competitive in the group. Additionally, Sierra Leone climbed to second in Group A after their 3-1 victory over Guinea-Bissau under coach Mohamed Kallon, while Mozambique replaced Algeria at the top of Group G after defeating Uganda 3-1.

Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s coach delivered a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia, showcasing the team’s resilience and potential for World Cup qualification. With competitive standings across various groups, teams must navigate challenging matches to secure their spots in the upcoming tournament. The dynamics of World Cup qualifying remain intense as several teams vie for success, highlighting the unpredictability of the competition.

Original Source: www.jacarandafm.com