Benni McCarthy made his coaching debut for Kenya in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Gambia during World Cup qualifying. Gambia led the match multiple times, but Kenya’s late equalizer by William Wilson showcased their resilience. Meanwhile, the standings in other groups reflect the competitive nature of the qualifiers, with surprises and coaching achievements noted across the board.
Benni McCarthy, the former Manchester United assistant coach, made an impressive debut as the head coach of Kenya, resulting in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia during a World Cup qualifying match. The first half was largely uneventful, highlighted by a missed penalty from Musa Barrow of Gambia. However, the match intensified after halftime, culminating in William Wilson equalizing for Kenya deep into added time.
Gambia initially led the match by two goals, with Barrow scoring twice post-penalty miss and Yankuba Minteh contributing another goal. Kenya’s scorers included Michael Olunga, who converted a penalty, and Mohammed Bajaber, who came off the bench to add to the scoreline. Following the match, McCarthy expressed optimism about Kenya’s potential to “surprise a lot of people by qualifying for the World Cup.”
In the same qualifying group, Gabon tops the standings with 12 points, followed by Ivory Coast and others, while Kenya trails with six points. Only the nine group winners will secure a spot in the upcoming 2026 World Cup hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Meanwhile, Benin emerged as group leaders in a competitive Group C after a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe, notwithstanding their earlier two-goal lead that was equalized by Knowledge Musona.
In other notable coaching debuts, Mohamed Kallon led Sierra Leone to a victory over Guinea-Bissau, and Mozambique seized the lead in Group G with a win against Uganda. Gambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique faced the inconvenience of playing at neutral venues due to inadequate FIFA-approved stadiums. These matches reflect an unpredictable qualifying campaign as teams vie for a chance in the global tournament.
The dramatic encounter between Kenya and Gambia showcased Benni McCarthy’s successful debut as coach, providing hope for Kenya’s World Cup aspirations. The competitive landscape across various qualifying groups is evident, with unexpected turns in results and impressive coaching performances. As teams strive for qualification, the stage is set for further thrilling matches leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
Original Source: www.jacarandafm.com
