Harambee Stars exhibited remarkable fighting spirit in their 3-3 draw against Gambia in a FIFA World Cup qualifier. Coach Benni McCarthy praised the team’s resilience, especially noting critical goals from substitutes. Despite limited training time and being one point behind Gambia in Group F, McCarthy remains optimistic about upcoming matches.
The Harambee Stars exhibited remarkable resilience by coming from behind to achieve a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Abidjan. Coach Benni McCarthy commended his players for their fighting spirit, particularly praising the contributions of substitutes Mohamed Bajaber and William Wilson, who scored important goals to secure the draw.
This encounter, marking the first meeting between Kenya and Gambia, showcased McCarthy’s satisfaction with the team’s performance despite having limited preparation time. The coach expressed hope for a better outcome but emphasized the significance of the hard-fought point against a more experienced Gambia squad.
McCarthy remarked on the nature of the match, stating, “The draw does not help us or Gambia, but I will take it because we earned it against a team that has been together longer than us. We showed great fighting spirit,” reflecting on the game’s intensity and the players’ commitment. He further noted, “This was a match both teams wanted to win badly. Not winning leaves me stressed and unhappy.”
The match unfolded dramatically, with Gambia initially establishing a 2-0 lead in the second half, only for Kenya to respond decisively within a brief span. Captain Michael Olunga netted a penalty, followed by Bajaber’s stunning equaliser. Despite Gambia regaining the lead, Wilson’s late goal in stoppage time secured a vital point for the Harambee Stars.
McCarthy acknowledged the impact of his tactical substitutions, highlighting the roles of Ayunga, Bajaber, and Wilson in the crucial draw. He described the first half as balanced but noted struggles in the second period, attributing challenges to the match conditions.
Post-match, the coach praised Bajaber’s goal, describing it as “stunning” and hinted at impending squad adjustments for the upcoming match against Gabon to manage player fatigue. Furthermore, McCarthy remains optimistic about his team’s prospects despite their current position in Group F.
In contrast, Gambia’s coach Johnathan McKinstry expressed frustration over his team’s errors that led to conceding goals. He recognized Kenya’s fighting spirit but lamented his players’ complacency after initially leading the match.
Both teams now turn their focus to their next fixtures, with Harambee Stars preparing to host Gabon and Gambia facing a challenging away match against Ivory Coast.
In conclusion, the Harambee Stars displayed extraordinary resilience and teamwork in their recent draw against Gambia. Coach Benni McCarthy highlighted the team’s fighting spirit despite limited preparation and expressed optimism about their future matches. Conversely, Gambia’s coach pointed to mistakes that hindered his team’s performance, emphasizing the need for improvement as both teams progress in the World Cup qualifiers.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
