Benni McCarthy hails Harambee Stars’ fighting spirit in thrilling draw with Gambia

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy praised his team’s resilience after they twice came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-3 draw against The Gambia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on Thursday night. This was the first-ever meeting between the two nations.

McCarthy, who had just one training session with the squad after arriving in Abidjan on Tuesday, expressed satisfaction with the result, though he admitted he had hoped for more.

“The draw does not help us or Gambia, but I will take it because we earned it against a team that has been together longer than us. We had only one training session before this game, and my players are still learning to play together. We showed great fighting spirit,” McCarthy said.

“This was a match both teams wanted to win badly. Not winning leaves me stressed and unhappy. However, for the neutral, it was an entertaining game. You don’t see many like this in FIFA World Cup qualifiers,” the 47-year-old South African added.

The match, played in Ivory Coast due to Gambia’s lack of a CAF-approved stadium, was a tale of two halves. The first half ended goalless before an action-packed second half saw Gambia race to a 2-0 lead through goals by Musa Barrow (54’) and Yankuba Minteh (60’).

Kenya responded in a seven-minute blitz. Captain Michael Olunga converted a penalty in the 67th minute before substitute Mohamed Bajaber curled in a stunning equaliser in the 74th minute.

Gambia regained the lead in the 83rd minute, again through Barrow, but Harambee Stars refused to give up. Debutant William Wilson scored a dramatic equaliser deep into stoppage time (96’), salvaging a crucial point for Kenya.

McCarthy’s attacking substitutions proved decisive. Jonah Ayunga won the penalty that Olunga converted, while Bajaber and Wilson, both substitutes, scored Kenya’s second and third goals, respectively.

The former Manchester United first-team coach described the first half as evenly contested but admitted his team struggled in the second period.

“In the first half, we had a chance to take the lead when Olunga missed a header in the ninth minute. After that, Gambia grew into the game and won a penalty, but our goalkeeper saved it. The second half was tougher; maybe the heat and altitude affected us. Still, I’m happy with our determination and fight,” McCarthy noted.

The South African also admitted Kenya was fortunate to be awarded a penalty.

“If that penalty was given against us, I would have been furious. But since we benefited from it, I’ll take it,” he said.

McCarthy, who had pledged to give young players a chance, singled out Bajaber for praise, describing his goal as “stunning.” He also hinted at squad changes for Kenya’s next match against Gabon.

“The players gave me their all, and I know some are fatigued. We need to manage their recovery, so I’ll introduce some changes for the Gabon match,” he said.

Kenya remains fourth in Group F with six points, while Gambia sits fifth with four points. Despite the standings, McCarthy remains optimistic.

“I know Ivory Coast and Gabon have pulled ahead, but anything can happen. They could lose to Gambia, and we can beat them as well,” he remarked.

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Gambia’s coach, Johnathan McKinstry, was less upbeat, blaming his players for costly mistakes.

“I’m furious and frustrated. You can’t make such errors at this level and expect not to be punished,” the former Gor Mahia coach lamented.

McKinstry acknowledged Kenya’s fighting spirit but regretted his team’s complacency.

“We went 2-0 up and then became complacent against a team with nothing to lose. They punished us,” he said. “The penalty came from a lapse in concentration. Bajaber’s goal was beautiful, but we failed to close him down. Their third goal? We got lost in the floodlights. And let’s not forget—we missed a penalty.”

Kenya and Gambia now turn their attention to their next fixtures. Harambee Stars will host Gabon on Sunday, while Gambia faces a tough away test against Ivory Coast on Monday.