In a pulsating 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the AlassaneOuattara Stadium in Abidjan on Thursday night, Harambee Stars staged a thrilling comeback to snatch a dramatic 3-3 draw against Gambia. The match, which had all the elements of a classic football showdown, saw Kenya fight back from behind twice, with a stunning last-minute goal sealing an unforgettable night.
A Game of Two Halves
The first half was a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to break down each other’s defenses. Kenya showed early promise, and in the 9th minute, Ronney Onyango delivered a sumptuous cross from the right, perfectly finding Captain Michael Olunga. However, his header flew just wide, squandering an opportunity to take an early lead.
Just three minutes later, Olunga was fouled outside the penalty area by Abubakar Barry, handing Kenya a free-kick in a promising position. Eric Johanna stepped up to take it, but his effort was blocked by the Gambian wall, leaving the match goalless.
Gambia nearly broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when Alieu Fadera was brought down by Kenya’s goalkeeper Ian Otieno inside the box. The referee pointed to the spot, awarding the Scorpions a penalty. However, Otieno quickly redeemed himself, diving superbly to deny Musa Barrow from converting the penalty and keeping Kenya in the game.
With halftime approaching, Gambia pressed forward and won three successive corners. Despite their dominance in the closing minutes of the first half, they couldn’t find the breakthrough, leaving both teams level at 0-0 heading into the break.
Gambia Strikes First, Kenya Fights Back
After a relatively quiet first half, the game sprang into life after the restart. Kenyan coach Benni McCarthy, making his debut on the touchline, introduced Lenkupae for Ismail Gonzalez to add fresh legs to the midfield. The tactical change injected some attacking intent, with Eric Ouma and Johanna increasing their forward runs and distribution into the box.
However, it was Gambia who struck first. In the 54th minute, Musa Barrow skillfully maneuvered past Brian Mandela before unleashing a powerful shot from outside the box, leaving Otienowith no chance. The goal gave Gambia the lead, and just six minutes later, they doubled their advantage. Yankuba Mintehwove his way past Daniel Anyembe and slotted the ball home, putting Gambia in control at 2-0.
With Kenya on the ropes, McCarthy reacted swiftly. He brought on Jonah Ayunga and Mohamed Bajaber, who was making his international debut, in place of John Avire and Johanna. The changes paid off almost immediately. In the 67th minute, Kenya was awarded a penalty after Momodou Lion fouled Ayungainside the box. Olunga stepped up and coolly converted, sending Gambian goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju the wrong way to halve the deficit.
Just seven minutes later, debutant Bajaber made his mark in style. Picking up the ball just outside the penalty area, he curled a breathtaking shot past Jarju and into the top corner, leveling the match at 2-2. The Kenyan camp erupted in celebration, as the team had clawed its way back into the contest.
A Nail-Biting Finish
Despite Kenya’s spirited comeback, Gambia was not done yet. In the 83rd minute, Barrow once again found himself in a dangerous position and capitalized on a failed offside trap. With a composed finish, he restored Gambia’s lead, making it 3-2. The goal stunned Harambee Stars, who now had just a few minutes left to salvage a result.
McCarthy threw in his last roll of the dice, substituting Olungafor Masoud Juma in a desperate attempt to find an equalizer. With six minutes of stoppage time added, Kenya pressed forward relentlessly. Juma came agonizingly close in the 94th minute, but his effort was denied by the Gambian defense.
Then, in the dying moments of the game, Harambee Stars found their hero. In the 96th minute, a long throw-in from Oumacaused chaos inside the Gambian penalty box. Amidst the scramble, debutant William Wilson reacted quickest, pouncing on the loose ball and smashing it into the net. The Kenyan bench erupted in euphoria as the last-gasp goal secured a dramatic 3-3 draw.
What This Means for Kenya’s World Cup Hopes
The result means that Kenya now sits with six points after five matches in the Group F standings. Gabon leads the group with 12 points, while Ivory Coast is second with 10 points, having a game in hand against Burundi, who are in third place with seven points. Gambia trails behind with five points, while Seychelles remains winless with a dismal goal difference of -23.
Looking Ahead
Kenya’s focus now shifts to their crucial fixture against Gabon on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. McCarthy, who saw glimpses of promise in his debut match as coach, will be looking to secure his first win at the helm.
Meanwhile, Gabon will come into the match brimming with confidence after their 3-0 victory over Seychelles on the same night. Dennis Bouanga starred in that game, scoring a brace, while Jim Allevinah added another goal. With only the top team from the group guaranteed an automatic ticket to the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada, Kenya must find a way to secure maximum points to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Final Thoughts
The 3-3 draw against Gambia was a rollercoaster of emotions for Harambee Stars and their fans. While defensive lapses remain a concern, the team’s resilience and fighting spirit were on full display. With young talents like Bajaber and Wilson stepping up on their debuts, Kenya can take plenty of positives into the upcoming matches.
Sunday’s clash against Gabon will be a defining moment in their qualification campaign. If Harambee Stars can build on their second-half performance against Gambia and tighten up at the back, they stand a chance of turning their World Cup dream into reality.https://touchdigitalnews.com/european-champions-league-enters-quarterf/
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