- The Kenya vs. Gabon match was played at the Nyayo National Stadium, where Harambee Stars lost 2-1.
- Kenya’s hopes of qualifying were dimmed as they now have to win their remaining four matches to keep their hopes alive.
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a brace for Gabon, while Michael Olunga pulled one back for Kenya.
Harambee Stars made a return to hosting matches on home soil after a near four-year absence but fell short as they lost1-2 to Gabon in a 2026 World Cup qualifier staged at the Nyayo national Stadium on Sunday evening.
Despite dominating possession for most of the 90 minutes, the national team was unable to overcome a brace from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who gave the visitors the lead in the first half before converting a penalty in the second half that would seal all three points.
Michael Olunga’s goal was not enough to earn the hosts even a point, as it acted as mere consolation for the thousands of fans who thronged Nyayo Stadium.
As a result, Benni McCarthy’s hopes of helping the team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup suffered a major setback.
The team now sits in fourth place in Group F with six points, nine points behind Gabon who have reclaimed the top spot.
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The game marked the first loss under McCarthy who was overseeing only his second game since his appointment as head coach.
Unfortunately, he has yet to secure a victory, having previously earned a 3-3 draw against Gambia just three days ago.
How the Kenya vs Gabon game went down
As seen in the performance against Gambia, McCarthy made four changes to his squad, bringing in Mohamed Bajaber, Johnstone Omurwa, Lekumpae, and Timothy Ouma, while Brian Mandela, Ismael Gonzalez, Erick Johana, and John Avire moved to the bench.
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At a packed Nyayo Stadium, Gabon made an early, dangerous attempt just two minutes into the match. However, Kenya’s defense held firm, preventing the attack as the game remained tense and cagey.
The national team created a couple of chances to threaten Gabon, but Michael Olunga’s first attempt was saved by goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba, while Lenkupae also had a shot that failed to find the target.
In the 15th minute, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang broke the deadlock, silencing the thousands of fans in the stadium with a brilliant finish after a precise cross from Kanga.
Olunga had another chance to equalize just three minutes after they had conceded when Lenkupae’s shot was saved by Mbaba and deflected to Olunga, but the linesman ruled the goal offside.
Harambee Stars waste chances
Five minutes before halftime, Olunga had another opportunity to level the score. However, his shot hit the woodwork, denying Kenya an equalizer after a well-executed play.
He followed up with a header, but it also failed to find the back of the net.
Despite creating several chances and dominating possession in the first half, Kenya was unable to convert. Gabon capitalized on their solo opportunity, heading into the break with a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Gabon started stronger and dominated possession. Bruno Manga hit the woodwork with a powerful shot.
Gabon was awarded a penalty in the 48th minute when Eric Ouma handled the ball inside the box in an attempt to defend the Gabon attack.
Aubameyang stepped up and converted, doubling the visitors’ lead.
Ouma later swung a cross from the left wing, but his shot missed Olunga’s legs inside the box.
In the 58th minute, Kenya could have pulled one back when Lenkupae missed a clear cross from Olunga, sending the ball over the bar.
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It was in the 62nd minute, when Ouma redeemed himself by delivering a perfect cross into the box.
Olunga, this time, made no mistake and scored, bringing the thousands of Kenyan fans in the stadium to life and pulling one back for the national team.
McCarthy made two changes, bringing on Duke Abuya and Jonah Ayunga in place of Anthony Akumu and Timothy Ouma.
Both teams made further substitutions, but Kenya continued to push for an equalizer.
Gabon’s defense held strong, and they maintained their lead until the final whistle.
Teams Starting XI
Harambee Stars: Ian Otieno (GK), Ronney Onyango, Johnstone Omurwa, Daniel Anyembe, Erick Ouma, Anthony Akumu, Richard Odada, William Lekumpae, Mohammed Bajaber, Timothy Ouma, Michael Olunga
Subs: Brian Bwire, Faruk Shikalo, Manzur Okwaro, Brian Mandela, Duke Abuya, Ismael Gonzlez, John Avire, Ben Stanley Omondi, Masud Juma, Jonah Ayunga, Elvis Rupia.
Gabon: Loyce Mbaba, Antony Oyono, Alex Moucketous, Bruno Manga, Johan Obang, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Guelor Kanga, Michel Mboula, Andre Poko, Mario Lamina, Dennis Bouanga.