Benni McCarthy debuted as Kenya’s head coach, resulting in a dramatic 3-3 draw against Gambia in World Cup qualifying. Gambia initially led with Barrow scoring twice, while Kenya’s Wilson equalized late in the match. Gabon leads Group F, and other groups saw significant upsets and new coaching strategies as teams vie for World Cup spots.
In a thrilling showcase of talent, Benni McCarthy, formerly an assistant coach at Manchester United, marked his debut as the head coach of Kenya with a dramatic 3-3 draw against Gambia in a World Cup qualifying match. The first half featured a subdued performance, notably highlighted by Gambia’s Musa Barrow missing a penalty. However, the match ignited in intensity, culminating with Kenya’s William Wilson equalizing in stoppage time.
Gambia initially took a two-goal lead, followed by a one-goal advantage before Wilson scored for Kenya, capitalizing on a defensive error. Barrow redeemed his earlier miss by scoring two goals, alongside his teammate Yankuba Minteh, who found the net once. Michael Olunga converted a penalty, and substitute Mohammed Bajaber contributed another score for Kenya in a match held at the national stadium in Abidjan.
McCarthy expressed optimism regarding Kenya’s potential to qualify for the World Cup, believing the team could surprise many. Kenya is set to face Gabon, currently leading Group F, in a crucial match in Nairobi. The group standings show Gabon with 12 points, followed closely by reigning African champions Ivory Coast with 10 points, while Kenya stands at six points after this match.
In other group news, Benin took the top spot in Group C despite a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe, relinquishing a two-goal advantage. Veteran players Steve Mounie and Dokou Dodo netted for Benin before Zimbabwe’s Knowledge Musona equalized. The group experienced significant upsets, including Rwanda’s victory over South Africa and Nigeria’s struggles, prompting a coaching change.
Sierra Leone, under new coach Mohamed Kallon, achieved a convincing 3-1 victory against Guinea-Bissau, climbing to second in Group A. Additionally, Mozambique’s Pedro ‘Pepo’ Santos excelled with two goals in his team’s 3-1 win over Uganda, placing them atop Group G with 12 points, ahead of Algeria.
All teams playing in Gambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, and Mozambique have had to compete at neutral venues due to inadequate FIFA-approved stadiums. This situation underscores the ongoing challenges present within the African football landscape, where infrastructure continues to impact gameplay.
In conclusion, the World Cup qualifying matches have provided thrilling encounters, especially highlighted by Benni McCarthy’s debut as Kenya’s head coach. The draw against Gambia highlights Kenya’s resilience and the unpredictability of the tournament. Other matches demonstrated significant shifts in group standings, with notable performances from individual players such as Barrow, Mounie, and Santos. As these teams navigate the qualifying stages, infrastructure challenges remain a critical issue affecting several participants.
Original Source: www.france24.com
