McCarthy Kicks Off Tenure in Kenya with Resilient Draw Against Gambia in Qualifying Match

South African icon Benni McCarthy started his tenure as the head coach of the Kenya national team, Harambee Stars, with an exhilarating 3-3 stalemate against Gambia in their Group F encounter of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. The match took place at Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium on Thursday, March 20th.

The Scorpions surged ahead with a 2-0 advantage thanks to strikes from Musa Barrow and Yankuba Minteh. However, Harambee Stars fought back when their leading striker, Michael Olunga, converted a penalty. Substitute Mohammed Bajaber then delivered a spectacular goal to level the score at 2-2.

Gambia restored their lead with Barrow netting his second goal, making it 3-2, but another substitute, William Wilson, responded with a crucial goal to secure a valuable point for the East African side.

McCarthy, aged 47 and a former assistant coach at Manchester United, placed Richards Bay’s Ian Otieno in goal. The defensive unit comprised Rooney Onyango, Daniel Anyembe, and Brian Mandela, who made a welcome return to the squad following his last appearance in a friendly against Russia on October 16th, 2023. Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma added width on the left flank.

Ismael Gonzalez, who is on loan at Spain’s CE Sabadell and was also making his return to the national side, led the midfield, supported by Anthony Okumu and Richard Odada. Captain Olunga spearheaded the attack as a lone striker, with support from wingers Eric Johanna and John Avire.

Just five players retained their positions from the previous qualifier, where Kenya played to a goalless draw against African champions Ivory Coast on June 11th, 2024. That match was under Turkish coach Engin Firat, who was dismissed after failing to lead Harambee Stars to the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, scheduled for December 21st, 2025 to January 18th, 2026.

The five who maintained their spots in McCarthy’s initial starting team following his appointment until the 2027 AFCON—set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania—were Anyembe, Odada, Akumu, Rooney Onyango, and Olunga.

Goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, who played against the Ivory Coast, was left out, along with Aboud Omar, Kenneth Muguna, and Timothy Otieno, while Johnstone Omurwa dropped to the bench.

The match began cautiously, and within five minutes, Gambia’s Sheriff Sinyan received the first yellow card of the game for tugging Olunga’s shirt as he surged forward.

Kenya nearly took the lead in the 17th minute, but Avire was thwarted by Gambia goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju.

In the 30th minute, the Scorpions squandered a golden opportunity to score when they were awarded a penalty after Olunga was fouled. Barrow, who plays for Saudi Pro League side Al Taawoun, stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his weak attempt was saved by Otieno, who parried the ball to safety.

This penalty save provided a boost for Kenya, who sought to create more chances. Akumu intercepted the ball in midfield and fed Avire, but he was unable to beat Jarju from distance. Gambia’s Omar Colley received a booking for a reckless challenge in the 38th minute.

In the closing moments of the half, under the management of former Gor Mahia coach Johnathan McKinstry, Gambia looked more dangerous, with Barrow and Minteh missing two open opportunities.

Despite the score being 0-0 at halftime, Kenya breathed a sigh of relief, having held off a relentless Gambia attack, largely thanks to a solid defensive performance.

The second half began differently, with Kenya asserting their control early on, earning their first corner just a minute after the restart. Johanna delivered the cross, but Jarju was alert to clear the danger.

Only two minutes later, Kenya had another corner, as Colley cleared Johanna’s attempt intended for Olunga. However, in the 55th minute, Gambia capitalised on a defensive blunder to go ahead. Barrow found space outside the box, turned sharply, and unleashed a stunning right-footed shot that left Otieno no chance as it sailed into the top corner.

Gambia doubled their lead in the 60th minute when Minteh benefited from another defensive lapse, scoring from close range to put his side 2-0 ahead. McCarthy reacted swiftly, introducing Jonah Ayunga and debutant Bajaber in place of Avire and Johanna.

Ayunga’s influence was immediate as he won a penalty in the 69th minute while making a run towards Gambia’s goal. Olunga stepped up and coolly dispatched the penalty to make it 2-1.

Kenya equalised in the 75th minute, thanks to a spectacular solo effort from Bajaber, who had been set up by Eric Ouma. The young player dribbled past several Gambia defenders before firing in a shot that sailed over Jarju, struck the post, and fell into the net.

Just when Kenya thought they had snatched a point, Barrow struck again in the 84th minute, finishing a cross from Abdoulie Ceesay at the far post to restore Gambia’s lead at 3-2. In stoppage time, Barrow could have added a fourth but Otieno’s excellent save denied him following a deft cut back to his right foot.

However, the drama was far from over as Wilson, who was substituted in the 46th minute, scored with the last kick of the match to seal an incredible draw for Kenya.

Gambia starting XI: Ebrima Jarju (GK), Omar Colley (C), Sheriff Sinyan, Momodou Lion Njie, Abubakar Barry, Mahmudu Bajo, Alie Fadera, Lars Joseph Ceesay, Yankuba Minteh, Musa Barrow, and Ali Sowe.

Subs: Sheikh Sibi, Musa Dibaga, Badi Boddu Gaye, Ebrima Adams, Ebrima Darbue, Alasana Manneh, Saiko Touray, Omar Gaye, Abdoulie Sanyang, Gibril Sillah, Alasanna Jatta, and Abdoulie Ceesay.

Kenya starting XI: Ian Otieno, Daniel Anyembe, Brian Mandela, Ronney Onyango, Eric Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Ismael Gonzalez, Richard Odada, John Avire, Eric Johana, and Michael Olunga.

Subs: Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikalo, Manzur Owkaro, Johnstone Omurwa, Ben Stanley Omondi, Masud Juma, Wilson Lenkupae, Jonah Ayunga, Timothy Ouma, Duke Abuya, Mohammed Bajaber, and Elvis Rupia.