The Kenyan national football team drew 3-3 with Gambia in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers in Abidjan. Debutants Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae were crucial in securing the draw after falling behind twice. The match marked Coach Benny McCarthy’s first game in charge and set the stage for Kenya’s upcoming home match against Gabon.
On Thursday night, the Harambee Stars of Kenya managed to draw 3-3 against Gambia during the CAF World Cup Qualifiers in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Substitute players Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae, both making their debuts, were instrumental in recovering from a 3-2 deficit. This match also marked the first for head coach Benny McCarthy in charge of the national team.
The match began with Kenya applying early pressure, with midfielder Richard Odada narrowly missing the target in the 5th minute. A cross from Roonie Onyango found captain Michael Olunga but his header went wide, keeping the score at zero. Despite controlling possession, Kenya faced a serious scare in the 28th minute when their goalkeeper Ian Otieno saved a penalty kick after misjudging a rebound clearance earlier.
In the first half, Gambia had a narrow chance before halftime, yet the Kenyan defense held firm, with Eric Ouma preventing further danger. At halftime, Coach McCarthy made a strategic substitution by introducing forward William Lenkupae to invigorate the attack.
The second half was dominated by Gambia, who scored two goals within a short time. Musa Barrow struck first in the 54th minute, followed by Yankuba Minteh in the 59th minute, putting Kenya at a significant disadvantage with a 2-0 deficit. In response, McCarthy called upon Bajaber and Jonah Ayunga to strengthen the offense.
The strategy proved effective, as Kenya earned a penalty in the 67th minute, with captain Olunga converting it to reduce the lead to 2-1. In the 75th minute, substitute Bajaber leveled the match at 2-2 after a well-placed strike. Gambia responded with a third goal from Barrow in the 83rd minute, raising the score to 3-2.
However, in an extraordinary finish, debutant William Lenkupae found the equalizer during injury time, ensuring Kenya secured a respectable 3-3 draw. This result places Kenya with 6 points after four matches, while Gambia, Gabon, and Isle of Ivory Coast continue their respective campaigns. On Sunday, Kenya will face Gabon at the Nyayo National Stadium in their first home match in over two years.
This thrilling encounter showcased the resilience of the Harambee Stars, highlighted by the impressive performances from debutants Bajaber and Lenkupae. Their contributions, along with Olunga’s penalty conversion, turned the tide in an intense match against Gambia. As Kenya prepares for their upcoming game against Gabon, they remain in contention for qualification, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and strategy under Coach McCarthy.
Original Source: www.michezoafrika.com
