Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s head coach ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia in a World Cup qualifier. Gambia led twice but failed to secure a win. Gabon topped Group F after a 3-0 victory over Seychelles, while Benin maintained their lead in Group C despite a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe. Other teams, including Sierra Leone and Mozambique, also registered wins in their respective matches.
Benni McCarthy, the former Manchester United assistant coach, commenced his tenure as the head coach of Kenya with an exhilarating 3-3 draw against Gambia in a World Cup qualifier held on Thursday. The first half was uneventful aside from Gambia’s Musa Barrow missing a penalty; however, the intensity surged in the second half with Gambia taking the lead twice. Eventually, William Wilson equalized for Kenya in stoppage time following a defensive error by Gambia.
Barrow redeemed himself by scoring two goals, while Yankuba Minteh also contributed a goal for Gambia. Kenya’s Michael Olunga netted from the penalty spot, and substitute Mohammed Bajaber also registered a goal at the National Stadium in Abidjan. McCarthy, who aims to lead Kenya toward their inaugural World Cup appearance, expressed optimism about his team’s potential to “surprise a lot of people” in the qualifying matches.
In related developments, Gabon stated their presence in Group F with a resounding 3-0 victory over Seychelles, placing them at the top with 12 points ahead of their impending match against Kenya in Nairobi on Sunday. Reigning African champions Ivory Coast occupy second place with ten points, preparing to face Burundi next.
In Group C, Benin maintained their lead despite relinquishing a two-goal advantage in a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe in Durban. Steve Mounie and Dokou Dodo scored for Benin, yet Marshall Munetsi and Knowledge Musona managed to equalize for Zimbabwe before the match concluded. The group remains competitive, with Benin on eight points, and Rwanda and South Africa in pursuit with seven points each.
Another highlight includes Rwanda’s unexpected victory over South Africa, while Nigeria is grappling with challenges, having drawn against Lesotho and lost to Benin. Under new management by Eric Chelle, Nigeria faces Rwanda in a crucial upcoming match.
In other World Cup qualifying news, Mohamed Kallon marked a successful start as Sierra Leone’s head coach, leading them to a 3-1 win over Guinea-Bissau. Mustapha Bundu initiated the scoring for Sierra Leone, who are now second in Group A, trailing leaders Egypt.
Moreover, Mozambique seized the top position in Group G with a convincing 3-1 victory over Uganda, largely attributed to Pedro ‘Pepo’ Santos’s two goals. Uganda’s goalkeeper Ismail Watenga faced considerable challenges during this match. Notably, matches in Gambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique were played at neutral venues due to the unavailability of FIFA-approved stadiums in their respective nations.
In conclusion, the opening round of Africa’s World Cup qualifiers has yielded remarkable results, with notable performances by teams such as Kenya and Gabon. Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s head coach resulted in a thrilling draw against Gambia, while Gabon showcased their dominance in Group F. Benin’s consistent performance keeps them at the forefront of Group C, while other teams like Sierra Leone and Mozambique also enjoyed successful matches. The competition appears increasingly fierce as teams strive for a spot in the 2026 World Cup.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
