2026 WCQ: Stressed and unhappy Benni McCarthy salutes battling Harambee Stars

Benni McCarthy (right): Photo Credit: Kenya Football Federation.

Kenya’s coach Benni McCarthy hailed Harambee Stars for their fighting spirit after they came back to hold the Gambia 3-3 in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier even though he felt stressed at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

The Eastleigh Voice quoted the Bafana Bafana legend as having expressed mixed emotions after his debut as Harambee Stars coach against the West African opponents they faced for the first time in international football.

The 47-year-old, who admits he hates losing, said he was unhappy getting a point for Kenya to remain fourth in Group F with six points, two points ahead of the fifth-placed Gambia.

“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 is quoted as saying.

“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 former Manchester United strikers’ trainer, in charge for the first time as a national team manager, seemed headed for a disastrous start. The Gambia raced to a 2-0 lead courtesy of ex-Swansea striker Musa Barrow’s 54th-minute goal before Brighton and Hove Albion’s sensation Yankuba Minteh added the second goal six minutes later.

However, the Harambee Stars refused to be intimidated and deemed. They responded through captain Michael Olunga from the penalty spot in the 67th minute before substitute Mohamed Bajaber struck the second goal with 16 minutes remaining on the clock.

There was yet more twist to the tale as the Scorpions stung back through Barrow in the 83rd minute only for McCarthy’s other substitute William Wilson to net six minutes into injury time to earn Kenya a point.

Earlier, the Gambia should have gone ahead in the first half when they won a penalty but Kenya keeper Ian Otieno proved equal to the task as he saved Barrow’s spot kick.

Kenya will now face leaders, for now, Gabon while Gambia travel to face group Ivory Coast on March 24, 2025. The Elephants’ most immediate assignment is against third-placed Burundi on Friday, March 21, 2025.