Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s coach ended in a 3-3 draw against Gambia, placing Kenya fourth in Group F. Other notable matches featured Mozambique and Cape Verde taking the lead in their groups. The qualifiers continue with several teams vying for positions in the World Cup.
Benni McCarthy, the former Bafana Bafana striker and Manchester United assistant coach, commenced his role as head coach of the Kenyan national team with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Abidjan. This dramatic match leaves the Harambe Stars in fourth place in Group F, while Gambia sits in fifth, indicating that both teams have significant challenges ahead to surpass group leaders Burundi, Ivory Coast, and Gabon.
In other qualifying matches, Benin, Cape Verde Islands, Gabon, and Mozambique emerged at the top of their respective groups, showcasing a shift in dynamics as the African qualifiers near their midway point. Cape Verde secured a lead in Group D with a 1-0 win over Mauritius, courtesy of Yannick Semedo’s late goal as they achieved 10 points, edging out Cameroon.
Mozambique climbed to first place in Group G by defeating Uganda 3-1, aided by two errors from goalkeeper Ismail Watenga and the first-half dismissal of Denis Omedi. With four victories out of five matches, Mozambique holds a three-point lead over second-placed Algeria, who are poised to play against Botswana.
Benin topped Group C despite relinquishing a two-goal advantage against Zimbabwe. Although they maintained the lead with goals from Steve Mounie and Francisco Doku, the match ended in a 2-2 draw after Zimbabwe’s Knowledge Musona equalized, demonstrating resilience despite being unable to secure the win.
In a remarkable finale in the Gambia vs. Kenya match, Australia-born player William Wilson scored a last-minute equalizer, marking an impressive debut under McCarthy’s stewardship. Gabon currently leads the group following a convincing 3-0 victory over Seychelles, while Namibia kept pace with leaders Tunisia after a narrow 1-0 win over Malawi in Group H.
Sierra Leone achieved their first victory in the qualifiers, winning 3-1 against Guinea Bissau in Mohamed Kallon’s debut match as head coach. The match highlights the competitive nature of Group A, where Egypt maintains a solid lead with 10 points. Upcoming fixtures will see 11 more qualifiers across Africa as teams strive for a spot in next year’s finals in North America.
In summary, Benni McCarthy’s inaugural match as coach of the Kenyan national team resulted in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia, positioning Kenya fourth in Group F. Meanwhile, teams such as Mozambique, Cape Verde, and Benin emerged as leaders in their respective groups, showcasing competitive spirit in the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. As the campaign progresses, teams are striving to secure their spots in the upcoming finals in North America.
Original Source: www.timeslive.co.za
