In a thrilling encounter, Kenya’s national team, Harambee Stars, drew 3-3 with Gambia in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers, thanks to debutants Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae. After trailing 2-0, Kenya rallied back, showcasing resilience and skill, and will host Gabon next in their first home match in over two years.
On Thursday night in Abidjan, Kenya’s national team, known as Harambee Stars, managed to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia. The match was particularly significant for debutants Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae, who were instrumental in the comeback, as well as for Benny McCarthy, who coached his first match for Kenya. Gambia has positioned itself as a formidable opponent in the CAF World Cup Qualifiers.
The match started with Kenya aggressively testing Gambia’s defense. Within the first few minutes, midfielder Richard Odada and captain Michael Olunga both had close attempts at scoring but were unable to convert. Despite possessing much of the first-half territory, Kenya faced a challenging moment when goalkeeper Ian Otieno misplayed a rebound, leading to a penalty for Gambia. He redeemed himself by saving the penalty kick.
As the first half continued, Gambia came close to scoring but was thwarted by a solid Kenyan defense. At halftime, McCarthy opted for a tactical change, replacing Ishmael Gonzalez with forward William Lenkupae to inject new energy into the squad. The second half saw Gambia seize the momentum, and in the 54th minute, Musa Barrow opened the scoring with a powerful strike, followed shortly by Yankuba Minteh doubling their advantage.
In response to trailing 2-0, McCarthy made more substitutions to enhance Kenya’s attacking capabilities. This strategy proved effective when Kenya was awarded a penalty in the 67th minute due to a foul on Jonah Ayunga, which Olunga converted to bring the score to 2-1. Kenya continued their offensive push and, in the 75th minute, Bajaber scored an equalizer to level the match at 2-2.
However, Gambia regained the lead in the 83rd minute when Barrow netted his second goal, making it 3-2. In a dramatic conclusion, Lenkupae, in the dying moments of the match, scored the equalizer from a throw-in, securing a hard-earned point for Kenya. Following the match, Kenya stands with 6 points after four games while Gambia has 4 points, and Gabon leads the group with 12 points.
Kenya is set to host Gabon on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium, marking their first home match in over two years, which holds potential for further excitement. This comeback not only showcases the grit of the team but also highlights the promising talents emerging within the squad.
The match between Kenya and Gambia concluded with a dramatic 3-3 draw, highlighting the debut performances of Bajaber and Lenkupae, and showcasing McCarthy’s strategic adjustments. Despite Gambia’s efforts to take control of the game, Kenya’s resilience led to a well-deserved equalizer. With Kenya’s upcoming home match against Gabon, the team aims to build on this momentum and improve their standings in the qualifiers.
Original Source: www.michezoafrika.com
