Benni-ball: Six-goal Harambee Stars thriller leaves Kenyan fans wanting more
Football
By
Robert Abong'o
| Mar 21, 2025
The national men's football team, Harambee Stars, battled to a captivating 3-3 draw against Gambia in a crucial FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying match at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, on Thursday, March 20.
The result keeps Kenya in fourth place in Group F, now with five points, just one ahead of their opponents from Gambia.
Despite the draw, Harambee Stars' hopes for World Cup qualification remain precarious, with their only win so far being a dominant 5-0 victory over Seychelles.
The match started slowly but transformed into an action-packed second half, featuring six goals as Kenya demonstrated resilience by coming from behind twice to secure a point.
Coach McCarthy, in his first match leading the Harambee Stars, expressed mixed feelings afterwards.
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"We had some golden opportunities early in the first half that we failed to convert. The changes made after the break, introducing some fresh legs, changed the game," he remarked. "Credit to the bench players, led by youngster Bajaber, who came in and injected pace. I am fairly happy with what I've seen against a team like Gambia. We will build from here," he said.
The match began with Harambee Stars displaying their intentions right away, with Richard Odada nearly finding the net early on. Captain Michael Olunga also missed a key chance, sending a header wide from a Rooney Onyango cross. Gambia's breakthrough came when Brighton & Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh came close to scoring, but Kenya's goalkeeper, Daniel Otieno, made a crucial save.
The tension increased when Otieno gave away a penalty after a late challenge on Alieu Federa, but he made amends by saving Musa Barrow's spot-kick, keeping the score level as the teams headed into halftime.
The second half opened poorly for Kenya, as Barrow redeemed himself by scoring the opener in the 54th minute after a powerful volley. Gambia quickly doubled their lead with a close-range goal from Minteh just seven minutes later. Despite missing a chance moments before this, Harambee Stars responded emphatically, with Olunga converting a penalty after substitute Jonah Ayunga was brought down.
The visitors continued to press, and another substitute, Bajaber, marked his qualifying debut with a stunning goal, leveling the match at 2-2. However, Gambia regained the lead in the 83rd minute, with Barrow securing his brace to make it 3-2.
Just when it seemed Kenya's chances had slipped away, debutant William Lenkupae scored in stoppage time, sealing a dramatic draw for Harambee Stars.
Gambia head coach Jonathan McKinstry expressed frustration at the match's outcome, stating, "We beat ourselves today. Kenya created two spectacular scoring chances and did not score but we gifted them three due to our poor match handling. The penalty may have seemed soft, but we were messing around with the ball in our area. We made bad decisions in all three instances, and that is infuriating."
The performance drew positive reactions online, with Kenyans appreciating the debutants making an impact right away.
Good effort Harambee Stars well done team. The 2nd half team should be the starting team. We however still have a long way to go. Youth football is the only answer and new blood.
Talk of New blood, Mohamed Bajaber our local boy kazi safi Ma Sha Allah. What a move and what a... pic.twitter.com/y76LhPj4Bc - Mohammed Hersi : Mr Optimist (@mohammedhersi) March 20, 2025
Benny should know this is our front 3 from now on. Olunga should come from the bench.
#HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/tWJ8L7QMSO - Joel Ochieng (@itsJoelOchieng) March 20, 2025
Reminder that Kenya Police FC signed Mohammed Bajaber from Nairobi City Stars after meeting the Ksh. 1 Million transfer fee. Thamani. #HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/rIwmlv797V - Pwani Tribune? (@PwaniTribune) March 20, 2025
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