Kenya pick a draw, Uganda suffer defeat in FIFA World Cup qualifier ties

The Harambee Stars of Kenya battled from two goals down to hold The Gambia 3-3 in a Group F match of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier.

With new coach Benni Mccarthy in-charge of the Kenyan team, there was a lot to prove at the Alassane Guattara Stadium in Abidjan, and the Harambee Stars did exactly that battling till the end of the match.

The Gambia started looking a better side and earned a penalty after a mistake by goalkeeper Ian Otieno. But the Kenyan goalkeeper saved Musa Barrow’s penalty to take the game to 0-0 at halftime.

After recess Barrow made amends after 55 minutes when he put The Gambia ahead, while Yankuba Minteh made it 2-0 after 61 minutes.

Michael Olunga, the Harambee Stars skipper later pulled a goal back for his side from the spot after 69 minutes. Substitute Mohammed Bajaber leveled matters for Kenya with a well taken shot from outside the box that beat The Gambia goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju.

But the Scorpions continued to push forward and Barrow netted his second goal on the night. But the Harambee Stars did not give up and leveled matters again in the sixth minute of added time through another substitute William Wilson. Kenya have maintained their 4^th place in Group F with 6 points, while Gabon are top with 12 points.

In an earlier match played at the Cairo International Stadium in Egypt, a 10-man Uganda Cranes suffered a 3-1 Group G defeat to Mozambique.

Uganda conceded an early goal after 3 minutes with Pepo Santos curving in a corner that Uganda’s goalkeeper Isima Watenga failed to punch out of danger.

But Libyan based striker Muhammad Shaban leveled matters for the Uganda Cranes four minutes later finishing off a well delivered cross by Allan Okello.

But the Mozambique team continued to dictate the pace of the match stringing passes around the pitch. After 16 minutes another goalkeeping error by Watenga gifted Santos who made it 2-1 for Mozambique.

Later Uganda’s Denis Omedi received a booking and quickly got sent off after picking another card. Three minutes of added time to half time Stanley Ratifo increased Mozambique’s lead as they run rings around Uganda’s defending line.

After the interval Uganda replaced goalkeeper Watenga with Nafan Alionzi, but there were no more goals. Uganda are now placed 5^th in Group G with 6 points, while Mozambique lead the Group with 12 points.

Action continues on Friday with six teams from the CECAFA Zone in action. Burundi will face Ivory Coast in a Group F tie, while Djibouti play away to Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia battle Egypt in Group A ties.

South Sudan will also play away to DR Congo in a Group B tie, while Rwanda take on Nigeria in Kigali in a Group C battle, and Somalia face Botswana in a Group G encounter.