McCarthy’s Dramatic Start as Kenya Coach: A Thrilling 3-3 Draw with Gambia
Benni McCarthy began his tenure as Kenya’s coach with a dramatic 3-3 draw against Gambia in the World Cup qualifiers. The Harambe Stars currently sit fourth in Group F. Other notable match results include Mozambique and Cape Verde leading their qualifying groups. The competitive landscape of African football remains dynamic as more matches are set to take place.
Benni McCarthy, the former South African striker and Manchester United assistant coach, began his tenure as the head coach of the Kenya national team with an exhilarating 3-3 draw against Gambia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier held in Abidjan. This result positions the Harambe Stars fourth in Group F, while Gambia finds themselves fifth, indicating a substantial challenge ahead as both teams aspire to surpass front-runners Burundi, Ivory Coast, and Gabon.
In other qualifying matches, surprising teams such as Benin, Cape Verde Islands, Gabon, and Mozambique took the lead in their respective groups. Cape Verde tops Group D with 10 points after a narrow 1-0 victory over Mauritius, courtesy of a late goal from Yannick Semedo, while Cameroon follows closely with nine points.
Mozambique, benefiting from two goalkeeping errors by Ismail Watenga and a first-half red card for Denis Omedi, claimed a commendable 3-1 victory against Uganda. This win places Mozambique at the top of Group G, enjoying a three-point lead over Algeria, who face Botswana next.
Benin, despite losing a two-goal lead against Zimbabwe, still managed to ascend to the top of Group C, with Rwanda and South Africa poised to challenge on Friday. Goals from Steve Mounie and Francisco Doku initially put Benin ahead, only for Marshall Munetsi to narrow the gap and Knowledge Musona to equalize for Zimbabwe in a closely contested match.
Kenya’s new international addition, William Wilson, made an impactful debut by scoring the equalizer in the last moments of the game against Gambia, after a thrilling match in which the Kenyans overcame being behind twice. Gabon secured a 3-0 victory over Seychelles, reinforced by Denis Bouanga’s impressive double.
Elsewhere in Group H, Namibia achieved a 1-0 victory over Malawi, with Prins Tjiuezu’s first-half goal maintaining their challenge against leaders Tunisia, who defeated Liberia. Sierra Leone recorded their first qualifying victory under new coach Mohamed Kallon with a 3-1 win against Guinea Bissau, making a statement in Group A where Egypt dominates the standings.
The upcoming Friday will witness an additional 11 World Cup qualifying matches across Africa as teams aim to secure a place in the finals next year in North America.
In conclusion, Benni McCarthy’s inaugural match as Kenya’s coach resulted in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia, revealing the team’s resilience as they strive to enhance their standing in Group F. Other surprising results highlight the dynamic nature of the African World Cup qualifiers, with teams like Mozambique and Cape Verde leading their groups. The competition remains intense, with pivotal matches approaching as teams aim for World Cup representation.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
