Harambee Stars Fight Back to Draw 3-3 Against Gambia

Harambee Stars pulled off a dramatic comeback, fighting from two goals down to secure a thrilling 3-3 draw against Gambia in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier.

The match took place at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast and kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.

The game started with Gambia taking control early. Musa Barrow found the back of the net twice, and Yankuba Minten added a third, giving the West African side a strong lead.

However, despite their early dominance, they could not hold onto their advantage as Kenya refused to back down.

Kenya’s fightback began with debutant Mohammed Bajaber scoring his first international goal, giving the team hope.

Shortly after, another debutant, Wilson Lenkupae, made his mark by finding the net. Then, Kenya’s captain and star striker, Michael Olunga, delivered the equalizer, ensuring that Harambee Stars walked away with a valuable point.

A Tale of Two Halves: Kenya’s Slow Start and Powerful Comeback

This match was Kenya’s first under new South African head coach Benni McCarthy, and it was a test of character for the team.

In the first half, the Harambee Stars struggled, failing to find their rhythm as Gambia dominated possession and created several chances. Kenya looked disorganized and lacked urgency.

However, the second half was a completely different story. Kenya came back with more energy, showing resilience, better teamwork, and attacking intent.

Twice, they had to come from behind to level the score, proving their determination and ability to fight until the end. This performance hinted at positive changes under McCarthy’s leadership.

Group F Standings: Kenya Still in the Race

With this result, Kenya now has six points from five matches, placing them fourth in Group F.

Gabon leads the standings with 12 points, followed closely by Ivory Coast, who has 10 points and a game in hand against Burundi.

Burundi sits in third place with seven points. Meanwhile, Gambia has five points from five matches, while Seychelles remains at the bottom with zero points and a goal difference of -23.