Kenya national team head coach Benni McCarthy has refused to accept that Harambee Stars will not qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the USA.

The 47-year-old South African legend took charge of his first game as Kenya coach in a Group F qualification fixture against Gambia in Ivory Coast on Thursday, March 20. The thrilling matchday five fixture at Alassane Ouattara Ebimpé Olympic Stadium produced a six-goal thriller, with Kenya coming from behind twice to snatch a draw.

After a goalless first half, the Scorpions raced into a 2-0 lead early in the second period courtesy of goals from Musa Barrow and Yankuba Minteh. However, Harambee Stars responded immediately, with lead striker Michael Olunga scoring from the penalty spot before substitute Mohammed Bajaber netted a stunning goal to make it 2-2.

Barrow then scored late on for his brace to put Gambia ahead at 3-2, but another substitute, William Wilson, replied with a beautiful effort to salvage a crucial point for the East African nation.

Despite the draw, McCarthy has refused to throw in the towel, insisting there are still plenty of points up for grabs and that nothing will stop him from chasing the qualification ticket.

“You would be a fool to give up [on qualification], and I think even the opposing coach will tell you the same; his aspirations and hopes remain unchanged [to qualify]. Teams will drop points down the line. Gambia can beat Ivory Coast just as much as Gambia can beat Gabon, and just as much as Kenya can beat Ivory Coast and Gabon,” McCarthy said after the game.

“So, the group is still very open. The teams at the top have taken their opportunities and collected points early, but we have five games to go, and there are plenty of points on offer for everyone, so we are hopeful, we are hopeful.”

Being his first game in charge of Kenya, the former Manchester United assistant coach was asked for his opinion on the match.

“Very stressed, not happy. Now, listen, for the new job, it was very entertaining—a lot of goals—because you don’t usually see that in a World Cup qualification match. But I think the two teams pushed each other well,” explained McCarthy.

In the 30th minute, the Scorpions had a good chance to take the lead against the run of play when they were awarded a penalty following a foul on Musa Barrow. The 26-year-old, who plays for Saudi Pro League club Al Taawoun, stepped up to take the resultant kick, but his weak right-footed effort was saved by Harambee Stars goalkeeper Ian Otieno.

High hopes in Olunga

Speaking about the penalty situation, McCarthy said: “In the first half, we sized each other up. We had a very good opportunity with our captain Michael [Olunga]; probably one of the easiest chances he could ever get; but we couldn’t capitalise, as his header went straight at the goalkeeper. Immediately after that, they [Gambia] got into the game.

“They gained some good momentum and then were awarded a penalty. At that moment, you would think they would go 1-0 up and control the game even better, but our goalkeeper made a great save.”

McCarthy continued: “Going into the half-time break at 0-0 reflected the first half fairly. Both teams had opportunities to get on the scoresheet but didn’t, so I think it was a fair result at the interval.

“The second half was really bizarre, really crazy. I’m not sure whether it was our attitude, the weather, or the heat getting to us, but they had good spells of possession. Then we made two crucial errors in defence, and when you give a team like Gambia such opportunities, with the players they have, they are usually clinical in front of goal. Suddenly, we were 2-0 down, and you start thinking it’s over.”

The former Cape Town City and AmaZulu coach credited his substitutions for Kenya’s comeback from 2-0 down to 2-2.

After Gambia extended their lead, McCarthy sensed danger and immediately made a double substitution, bringing off John Avire and Eric Johanna for Jonah Ayunga and youngster Bajaber, who was making his debut.

It was Ayunga who was fouled for the penalty that Olunga converted, before Bajaber scored a stunner to make it 2-2. However, McCarthy was critical of the penalty decision, terming it a ‘soft penalty’ that would have irritated him if it had been awarded against his team.