In a thrilling encounter, Kenya’s national football team managed a 3-3 draw against Gambia in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers, showcasing debutants Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae. Under the guidance of new coach Benny McCarthy, Kenya fought back from two goals down, securing a crucial point. They are set to host Gabon in their first home match in over two years this Sunday.
On Thursday night, Kenya’s national team, the Harambee Stars, drew 3-3 with Gambia during the CAF World Cup Qualifiers in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The match was notable as substitutes Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae both made their debut, while Benny McCarthy led the team as head coach for the first time. Kenya, while falling behind initially, managed to secure a point through tenacity and timely substitutions.
The game commenced with Kenya asserting themselves offensively; in the fifth minute, Richard Odada narrowly missed the goal. Shortly after, Captain Michael Olunga had another opportunity with a header, but it also went astray. Despite controlling possession throughout the first half, Kenya faced adversity when goalkeeper Ian Otieno miscalculated a save attempt, conceding a penalty, which he fortunately saved, preventing Gambia from capitalizing.
Just before halftime, the Kenyan defense held strong against a mounting threat from Gambia, with Eric Ouma clearing a potential goal off the line. McCarthy adjusted his strategy for the second half, introducing William Lenkupae, aiming to invigorate Kenya’s attacking efforts. Gambia retaliated, with Musa Barrow scoring in the 54th minute from outside the box, followed by a second goal from Yankuba Minteh shortly thereafter, elevating Gambia’s lead to 2-0.
McCarthy responded by inserting Bajaber and Jonah Ayunga, which proved beneficial. In the 67th minute, Kenya earned a penalty after Ayunga was fouled, and Olunga converted, reducing the deficit to 2-1. Kenya escalated the pressure, and Bajaber equalized at 2-2 in the 75th minute, raising hopes for a remarkable comeback.
However, Gambia countered with a goal from Barrow in the 83rd minute, regaining a 3-2 advantage. The match seemed settled until Lenkupae struck deep into injury time, achieving a dramatic equalizer and concluding the thrilling encounter at 3-3. Currently, Kenya stands at 6 points after four matches, while Gabon, Gambia, and the other teams in the group continue to vie for their positions as Kenya prepares to host Gabon in their first home match in over two years this coming Sunday.
The match between Kenya and Gambia was an exhilarating display of resilience and determination from the Harambee Stars, highlighted by the debut performances of Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae. Despite trailing at various points, Kenya’s ability to fight back and secure a draw emphasizes the potential of their squad under the new leadership of Benny McCarthy. As Kenya prepares for their upcoming match against Gabon, the team will look to build on this encouraging performance.
Original Source: www.michezoafrika.com
