William Lenkupae’s late equalizer salvaged a draw for Harambee Stars in their 3-3 World Cup qualifier against Gambia on Thursday night at the Stade Alassane Ouattara stadium in Ivory Coast, marking the debut of Benni McCarthy as the new head coach.
The six goals all came in the second half, with the hosts breaking the deadlock through Musa Barrow, before Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh doubled their advantage.
Michael Olunga then pulled Kenya back into the game, converting from the penalty spot, and Mohammed Bajaber, a substitute, leveled the score.
However, Barrow completed his brace to give the hosts the lead once again.
In the dying moments of the match, Australia-based midfielder William Lenkupae cme off the bench to score his first-ever goal for the national team, securing a draw for Kenya in his debut.
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As a result, the national team remains in fourth place in the standings with six points ahead of their second match on Sunday against Gabon at Nyayo Stadium, while Gambia trails in fifth with five points.
At the Stade Alassane Ouattara, the first 10 minutes of the match were evenly contested; however, in the 12th minute, Harambee Stars had a golden opportunity to take the lead.
Michael Olunga missed a header off a well-executed cross from Rooney Onyango, sending the ball wide of the target.
It was in the 27th minute that the hosts were awarded a penalty after Ian Otieno’s mistake in the box.
Otieno punched the ball away, but it fell to Gambia’s Alieu Federa, whom he subsequently tackled after he missed the second ball.
Musa Barrow stepped up to take the penalty, but he spent recklessly the opportunity as Otieno made a crucial save, keeping the score level and maintaining the tense nature of the game.
The hosts could have taken the lead before halftime, but their efforts were thwarted when Omar Colley’s curl cross into the box was intercepted by Kenya’s defense, who cleared the danger for a corner.
Despite some promising chances from Gambia, Kenya’s defense held firm, and both teams went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.
Gambia vs Harambee Stars a six-goal second half
The second half kicked off with McCarthy making his first substitution, bringing on Australia-based midfielder William Lenkupae for Ismail Gonzalez in what was Lenkupae’s national team debut.
Shortly after, Harambee Stars came close to taking the lead when Eric Johana’s shot went wide following a brilliant counterattack by Rooney Onyango, who made a perfect cross from the right wing, but Johana’s effort missed the mark.
In the 54th minute, Gambia broke the deadlock with Barrow, who made amends for his earlier missed penalty by scoring a stunning strike from outside the box. Otieno was unable to react in time as the ball sailed past him and into the net.
Gambia extended their lead in the 61st minute through Yankuba Minteh, who curled a shot from the left wing, exploiting some poor defending by Kenya.
Kenya got a lifeline in the 68th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Jonah Ayunga was fouled inside the box. Olunga stepped up and calmly converted, reducing the deficit and bringing Kenya back into the match.
The 74th minute saw another twist when Mohammed Bajaber, a substitute, equalized for Kenya with a brilliant strike after a well-executed tactical play.
Moments later, Kenya had another opportunity to take the lead when Bajaber set up Olunga, but the striker’s attempt was cleared off the line by the Gambia defense.
However, the hosts regained the lead when Barrow completed his brace with a well-taken strike, taking advantage of a defensive lapse from Kenya’s backline.
The match, which had been characterized by fast-paced counterattacks from both teams, saw Kenya fight valiantly until the final minutes.
In the dying moments, Lenkupae rose to the occasion, scoring a dramatic header after a long throw-in from Ouma on the left wing, leveling the score once again.
As the final whistle blew, signaling the end of regular and additional time, Kenya secured a hard-earned point.
This result marked a promising start for new head coach Benni McCarthy in his first international assignment with the national team.
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Teams Line up
Gambia: Ebrima Jarju, Omar Colley, Sheriff Sinyan, Momodou Lion Njie, Abubakr Barry, Mahumdu Bajo, Alieu Fadera, Lars Joseph Ceesay, Yankuba Minteh, Musa Barrow, Ali Sowe.
Substitutes: Sheikh Sibi, Musa Dibaga, Dadi Dodou Gaye, Ebrima Adams, Ebrima Darboe, Alasana Manneh, Saikou Touray, Omar Gaye, Abdoulie Sanyang, Gibril Sillah, Alasana Jatta, Abdoulie Ceesay.
Harambee Stars: Ian Otieno, Daniel Anyembe, Brian Mandela, Ronney Onyango, Eric Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Ismael Gonzalez, Richard Odada, John Avire, Eric Johana, Michael Olunga.
Substitutes: Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikalo, Manzur Owkaro, Jonestone Omorwa, Ben Stanley Omondi, Masud Juma, Wilson Lenkupae, Jonah Ayunga, Timothy Ouma, Duke Abuya, Mohammed Bajaber, Elvis Rupia.
Group F standings
