Benni McCarthy’s debut match as head coach of Kenya ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Gambia in World Cup qualifiers. Gambia initially led, but Kenya equalized deep in stoppage time. In other matches, Gabon topped Seychelles, and Benin drew with Zimbabwe, maintaining their leading position in Group C. Various teams experienced mixed outcomes amid vibrant competition.
Benni McCarthy, the former assistant coach of Manchester United, commenced his tenure as the head coach of Kenya with a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia in a World Cup qualifier. The first half progressed slowly, highlighted by Gambia’s Musa Barrow missing a penalty. However, the game accelerated in intensity after halftime, culminating in William Wilson equalizing for Kenya during stoppage time after a defensive mistake by Gambia.
Gambia initially took control with Barrow redeeming himself by scoring twice, alongside a goal from Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh. For Kenya, Michael Olunga converted a penalty, and substitute Mohammed Bajaber also scored at the National Stadium in Abidjan. McCarthy expressed optimism about surprising many en route to Kenya’s first World Cup qualification.
In Group F, Gabon secured a decisive 3-0 victory over Seychelles, leading the group with 12 points ahead of their upcoming match against Kenya. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast, the reigning African champions, occupy second place with 10 points and are set to face Burundi shortly. Only group winners will qualify for the 2026 World Cup in North America.
Benin topped Group C despite squandering a two-goal advantage against Zimbabwe, resulting in a 2-2 draw. Following goals from Steve Mounie and Dokou Dodo, Zimbabwe managed to level the score through Marshall Munetsi and Knowledge Musona. The group is competitive, with Benin at eight points and both Rwanda and South Africa close behind at seven points.
Rwanda achieved a surprising victory over South Africa, while Nigeria, under new coach Eric Chelle, has encountered difficulties, drawing against Lesotho and losing to Benin. They face Rwanda on Friday in a vital match.
In other matches, Mohamed Kallon enjoyed a successful debut as Sierra Leone’s head coach, securing a 3-1 win over Guinea-Bissau, with Mustapha Bundu making an impressive contribution. Sierra Leone sits second in Group A, trailing Egypt by two points. Meanwhile, Mozambique rose to the top of Group G by defeating Uganda 3-1, thanks to a brace from Pedro ‘Pepo’ Santos, while Uganda’s goalkeeper had a challenging match. Notably, Gambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique played at neutral venues due to the lack of FIFA-approved stadiums in their home nations.
Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s head coach resulted in an exciting 3-3 draw against Gambia, showcasing resilience and potential. The World Cup qualifiers continue to unfold with intense competition in various groups. Gabon leads Group F, while Benin holds the top position in Group C amid challenges from Rwanda and South Africa. Overall, the narrative reflects a dynamic landscape as teams vie for a coveted spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
