Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s head coach resulted in a 3-3 draw against Gambia, featuring dramatic scoring and a late equalizer by William Wilson. Gabon leads Group F, while Benin currently tops Group C despite a draw against Zimbabwe. Other notable matches include Sierra Leone’s 3-1 victory under new coach Mohamed Kallon and Mozambique’s rise to the top of Group G.
Benni McCarthy, the former assistant coach of Manchester United, made his debut as Kenya’s head coach with an exhilarating 3-3 draw against Gambia in a World Cup qualifier. The initial half was slow, highlighted by Gambia’s Musa Barrow missing a penalty, but the match intensified after halftime. Gambia took a two-goal lead, and later led by one, while substitute William Wilson equalized for Kenya in stoppage time after a defensive lapse by Gambia.
Musa Barrow redeemed himself with two goals for Gambia, supported by a third from Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh. Kenya’s scoring included a penalty conversion from Michael Olunga and a goal by Mohammed Bajaber. McCarthy expressed optimism about Kenya’s chances in the qualifiers, aiming for the nation’s first World Cup opportunity. In related news, Gabon leads Group F with 12 points after a 3-0 victory over Seychelles, while Ivory Coast follows with 10 points ahead of their match against Burundi.
In Group C, Benin found themselves at the top after a 2-2 draw with Zimbabwe, despite squandering a two-goal advantage. Steve Mounie and Dokou Dodo contributed goals for Benin while Marshall Munetsi and Knowledge Musona scored for Zimbabwe. The group remains competitive with Benin on eight points, followed closely by Rwanda and South Africa at seven points. Nigeria’s struggles continue under new management, facing a critical match against Rwanda.
In other World Cup qualifying matches across Africa, Sierra Leone achieved a 3-1 win over Guinea-Bissau in the debut match of head coach Mohamed Kallon. Mustapha Bundu scored first, helping Sierra Leone to second place in Group A, trailing leaders Egypt. Meanwhile, Mozambique ascended to the top of Group G with a 3-1 victory over Uganda, featuring a double from Pedro ‘Pepo’ Santos. These matches took place at neutral venues due to the absence of FIFA-approved stadiums in the teams’ respective countries.
The article highlights the key performances in various African World Cup qualifiers, showcasing Benni McCarthy’s promising start as Kenya’s head coach amidst a thrilling draw with Gambia. The continued competition in Groups C and G reflects the challenges and surprises as teams vie for a chance at the 2026 World Cup. With Gabon leading Group F and Benin at the top of Group C, the landscape of the qualifiers remains dynamic and competitive.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
