Harambee Stars staged a dramatic comeback against The Gambia, drawing 3-3 after trailing by two goals. Key contributions included a penalty from Michael Olunga and a late equalizer from Wilson Lenkupae, showcasing the team’s resilience and ambition as they secured their first draw under head coach Benni McCarthy.
Harambee Stars exhibited remarkable resilience as they came from two goals down to secure a 3-3 draw against The Gambia at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan. The first half concluded without any goals, with Kenya’s goalkeeper Ian Otieno brilliantly saving a penalty, maintaining a 0-0 scoreline going into halftime.
In the second half, The Gambia initiated the scoring through forward Musa Barrow in the 56th minute. Shortly after, they doubled their lead thanks to Yankuba Minteh’s strike in the 61st minute, putting Kenya in a challenging position as they faced the possibility of a third consecutive defeat in the World Cup qualifiers.
However, a penalty won by St Mirren midfielder Jonah Ayunga revived hope for the Stars. Team captain Michael Olunga converted the penalty in the 69th minute, narrowing the gap to 2-1. Just six minutes later, Mohammed Omar Bajaber delivered a stunning equalizer with a remarkable curler, leveling the match at 2-2.
Despite a late goal from Barrow in the 84th minute that initially restored The Gambia’s lead, the Harambee Stars demonstrated their fighting spirit. In the dying moments of the match, Australian-based midfielder Wilson Lenkupae scored in the 96th minute to equalize once more, ending the game at 3-3.
This result leaves Harambee Stars with one point in Gambia, placing them fourth in Group F and marking a notable draw for head coach Benni McCarthy. For fans of Kenyan football, the performance showcased by the Harambee Stars serves as a promising indicator for future successes.
The match between Harambee Stars and The Gambia showcased the team’s fighting spirit and determination. Despite being two goals down, they managed to fight back and secure a vital draw. The performance reflects a potential resurgence in their World Cup qualifying campaign, providing hope for Kenyan football enthusiasts.
Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke
