The National Times - Dramatic McCarthy debut as Kenya snatch World Cup draw

After a dour first half in which Musa Barrow missed a Gambian penalty, the Group F clash sprang to life and ended with William Wilson levelling for Kenya six minutes into added time.

Gambia led by two goals, and later by one, before Wilson fired past goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju from the edge of the six-yard box after a long throw was not cleared.

Barrow atoned for his spot-kick miss by scoring twice and the other Gambian goal came from Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh.

Michael Olunga, from a penalty, and substitute Mohammed Bajaber were the other Kenyan scorers at the national stadium in Abidjan.

McCarthy said ahead of the matchday five showdown that he believed perennial underachievers Kenya can "surprise a lot of people by qualifying for the World Cup".

Gabon, who beat Seychelles 3-0 in Franceville to lead the group with 12 points, face Kenya in Nairobi on Sunday.

Reigning African champions Ivory Coast have 10 points ahead of their clash with Burundi on Friday. Burundi have seven points, Kenya six, Gambia four and Seychelles none.

Only the nine group winners in Africa are guaranteed places at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Benin went top of hotly contested Group C despite surrendering a two-goal lead in a 2-2 draw against Zimbabwe in Durban.

Veteran Steve Mounie and Dokou Dodo scored for the west African nation before recent Wolverhampton Wanderers signing Marshall Munetsi halved the deficit just before half-time.

- Biggest upsets -

Saudi Arabia-based Knowledge Musona equalised as the hour mark approached and Zimbabwe pressed unsuccessfully for a winning goal in the closing stages.

Benin have eight points, Rwanda and South Africa seven each, Lesotho five and Nigeria and Zimbabwe three each. On Friday, South Africa host Lesotho and Rwanda are at home to Nigeria.

Group C has produced some of the biggest upsets so far with Rwanda beating South Africa while six-time World Cup qualifiers Nigeria were held by Lesotho and fell to Benin.

Winless Nigeria face Rwanda with Ivorian Eric Chelle in charge. He is the third coach to hold the reins during the World Cup campaign after Nigerians Finidi George and Augustine Eguavoen.

Former Inter Milan and Monaco midfielder Mohamed Kallon made a winning debut as coach of Sierra Leone, who overcame Guinea-Bissau 3-1 and rose from fourth to second in Group A.

Mustapha Bundu, who helped Plymouth stun Liverpool in the FA Cup this season, opened the scoring for the Leone Stars with the only goal of the first half in Paynesville.

Sierra Leone are two points behind Mohamed Salah-captained Egypt, who are away to Ethiopia on Friday.

Portuguese third division midfielder Pedro 'Pepo' Santos netted twice as Mozambique beat Uganda 3-1 in Cairo to replace Algeria as Group G leaders.

His second goal on 16 minutes was a gift from Uganda goalkeeper Ismail Watenga, who spilled a cross. The Ugandan was replaced by Nafian Alionzi at half-time having conceded three goals.

Mozambique have 12 points and Algeria are three points behind ahead of an away fixture against Botswana on Friday.

Gambia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and Mozambique played at neutral venues as they lack FIFA-approved stadiums.

V.Allen--TNT