Harambee Stars drew 3-3 with Gambia in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers, showcasing the talents of debutants Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae. Coach Benny McCarthy made his debut as head coach. The match included dramatic comebacks and crucial goals, culminating in a last-minute equalizer from Lenkupae. Kenya will next host Gabon at the Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
In a thrilling match, the Kenyan national football team, Harambee Stars, managed to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw against Gambia in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The game saw the impressive debuts of substitutes Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae, who both made significant contributions, particularly in the latter half. This encounter was also the inaugural match for Benny McCarthy as the new head coach of Kenya.
Kenya started the match aggressively, with midfielder Richard Odada almost scoring within the first five minutes. Captain Michael Olunga also had an opportunity but missed the target. Despite dominating possession, the first half ended without goals after Kenyan goalkeeper Ian Otieno saved a penalty awarded to Gambia following a misjudged clearance.
Adjustments were made at halftime as McCarthy substituted forward Lenkupae into the game. Gambia, however, took control in the second half, scoring two goals within six minutes thanks to Musa Barrow and Yankuba Minteh. Faced with a 2-0 deficit, McCarthy introduced more substitutes to energize the Kenyan offense.
Kenya’s persistence began to pay off when Olunga converted a penalty in the 67th minute, reducing the gap to 2-1. Substitute Mohammed Bajaber equalized at 2-2 in the 75th minute, giving Kenya renewed hope. However, Gambia surged ahead again with Barrow’s second goal in the 83rd minute, bringing the score to 3-2.
In a spectacular finish, William Lenkupae scored the equalizer deep into stoppage time, resulting in a final score of 3-3. This match leaves Kenya with six points after four games in the qualifiers. They will now prepare to host Gabon at the Nyayo National Stadium in their next group stage match, marking their first home game in over two years.
The match between Kenya and Gambia highlighted the emerging talents of Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae, who both made notable debuts and played crucial roles in the team’s comeback. Despite trailing twice, the resilience of the Harambee Stars was epitomized in Lenkupae’s late equalizer, reflecting the potential for growth under newly appointed coach Benny McCarthy. Kenya’s upcoming match against Gabon will serve as an important test of their progress in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Original Source: www.michezoafrika.com
