Harambee Stars drew 3-3 with The Gambia after trailing by two goals. Despite being behind, Kenya staged a comeback with goals from Micheal Olunga and Wilson Lenkupae, showcasing resilience and skill. This draw secured a point for Kenya, placing them fourth in Group F and marking Benni McCarthy’s first draw as head coach.
On Thursday night, Harambee Stars demonstrated extraordinary resilience by coming from behind to secure a 3-3 draw against The Gambia at the Alassane Ouattara stadium in Abidjan. The match concluded the first half with a stalemate, thanks to a crucial penalty save by Kenyan goalkeeper Ian Otieno.
In the second half, Gambia’s Musa Barrow broke the deadlock in the 56th minute, followed by a second goal from Yankuba Minteh just five minutes later, putting Kenya in a challenging position. However, a foul against Kenyan midfielder Jonah Ayunga in the penalty area provided an opportunity for Stars captain Micheal Olunga to convert a penalty, reducing the deficit to 2-1 in the 69th minute.
The momentum shifted as Kenya’s Mohammed Omar Bajaber equalized with an impressive curling shot only six minutes later, bringing the score to 2-2. Despite Gambia reclaiming the lead with Barrow’s second goal in the 84th minute, Harambee Stars refused to concede defeat.
In a dramatic climax, Australian-based midfielder Wilson Lenkupae scored in stoppage time (96th minute), ensuring a thrilling finish that ended in a 3-3 draw. This result marks a point for Harambee Stars, placing them fourth in Group F and granting new head coach Benni McCarthy his first draw in charge. For Kenyan supporters, the team’s performance in terms of passing precision and composed finishing signifies promising prospects for the future.
In summary, the Harambee Stars showcased remarkable determination and skill by fighting back from a two-goal deficit to earn a 3-3 draw against The Gambia. With significant contributions from players such as Micheal Olunga and Wilson Lenkupae, this match highlights the Stars’ potential under coach Benni McCarthy, leaving fans optimistic about future performances in the World Cup qualifiers.
Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke
