Kenya Deals McCarthy a Defeat in His First Match as Aubameyang Guides Gabon to Victory

Gabon’s star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted a brace to hand the newly appointed Kenya national team coach Benni McCarthy his first defeat at the helm of the Harambee Stars during a high-stakes 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match at a packed Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

Aubameyang struck in both halves, with his second goal coming from the penalty spot. Despite Kenya’s attempts to claw back into the match after their forward Michael Olunga cut the deficit, the Gabonese Panthers held firm to secure their fifth victory in this qualification series.

The Harambee Stars entered this sixth round fixture eager for a win following a thrilling 3-3 comeback draw against Gambia at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on Thursday, March 20th.

In that dramatic match, the Scorpions had surged ahead with a two-goal lead in the second half, courtesy of Musa Barrow and Yankuba Minteh. However, Kenya rallied with Olunga converting a penalty, followed by a spectacular strike from substitute Mohammed Bajaber that levelled the score at 2-2.

Although Barrow netted again late to give Gambia a 3-2 lead, substitute William Wilson managed to equalise with a brilliant effort in the dying moments, securing a crucial point for the East African side.

Meanwhile, Gabon approached the Group F encounter buoyed by a convincing 3-0 triumph over bottom-placed Seychelles at the Stade de Franceville. Goals from Major League Soccer’s Denis Bouanga, along with an early strike from Jim Allevinah, ensured their fourth win in the qualification campaign.

In his first game against Gambia, Coach McCarthy opted for Ian Otieno from Richards Bay as the goalkeeper, while the defence was anchored by Rooney Onyango, Daniel Anyembe, and Brian Mandela, returning to the squad for the first time since the friendly against Russia on October 16th, 2023, complemented by the marauding Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.

Leading the midfield was Ismael Gonzalez from CE Sabadell, who was making his return to the national setup, with Anthony Okumu and Richard Odada positioned ahead of him. Eric Johanna and John Avire supported captain Olunga, who again operated as the lone striker.

However, in this second outing with the Harambee Stars, McCarthy rang the changes, resting South African defender Brian Mandela, Gonzalez, Johanna, and Avire, opting instead for Johnstone Omurwa, Wilson, Bajaber, who scored in the earlier match, and Timothy Otieno.

Ian Otieno retained his spot in goal following his successful penalty save against Gambia, alongside Onyango, Anyembe, Ouma, Akumu, Odada, and Olunga, tasked once more with leading the attack.

Before the clash, McCarthy insisted that Kenya remained in contention for their first-ever World Cup berth. When asked if Harambee Stars still had a shot at qualification, he affirmed:

“Absolutely, everyone in the group—Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Burundi, Gambia—has a chance. We’re still in the mix, and there’s a prospect of qualifying as the best second-placed team.”

“It’s essential that we secure three points on Sunday, that will set us on the right path to catch up with teams like Gabon who have already amassed 12 points. It will be a tough challenge, but certainly not unattainable.”

Aubameyang gives Gabon the edge against dominant Kenya

With a vibrant crowd that had missed watching their national team for two years due to FIFA and CAF stadium approvals, Kenya came out strong, with midfielder Akumu testing Gabon’s goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba early in the match, only two minutes in.

The Panthers responded five minutes later, when Aubameyang combined with Mario Lemina in a threatening move that nearly caught Otieno off guard, but he quickly recovered to avert danger, conceding a corner.

Following that near miss, Gabon took control and in the 15th minute, Aubameyang found space inside the area to tuck the ball past Otieno, putting his side ahead.

Moments later, Kenya nearly equalised with a counter-attack; Olunga found the net from close range after a delivery from Omurwa, but the goal was disallowed for offside as disappointed Kenyan fans celebrated too soon.

The disallowed goal didn’t dampen the spirits of the Harambee Stars, who continued pushing for an equaliser. Olunga had another chance after dazzling past two defenders, but his shot was off target. He then let loose a left-footed effort from just outside the box that struck the post, bouncing back into play where a Gabon defender eventually cleared the danger.

As the first half drew to a close, Gabon led 1-0, but the chances created by Kenya suggested they were deserving of a goal. The second half commenced with Gabon making a substitution, replacing the yellow-carded Moucketou-Moussounda.

Just three minutes in, Gabon extended their lead, as a dangerous move from the right was adjudged to have hit Ouma’s hand, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Aubameyang stepped up to convert, completing his brace by sending Otieno the wrong way.

As McCarthy readied to make a double substitution, Kenya finally managed to strike back with a well-executed counter. A brilliant overlapping run from Ouma allowed him to deliver a fine cross to Olunga, who managed to slot the ball past Mbaba, igniting jubilation among the Nyayo Stadium crowd.