Despite a courageous effort, Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars suffered a 2-1 defeat to Gabon in his first home game in charge at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on Sunday afternoon.
It was McCarthy’s second game in charge since taking the helm, following last week’s come-from-behind 3-3 draw against the Gambia, and he rang the changes, with six new faces starting.
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The fans had packed into the sold-out stadium, eager to see what McCarthy brought to the Harambee Stars.
The home team came out firing, forcing a save from Loyce Mbaba in the opening minute, though were almost caught out a minute later at the other end, with some last-ditch defending keeping Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out. Michael Olunga was disappointed not to get a penalty after going down in the box in the seventh minute, but the referee was uninterested.
Ian Otieno had to be alert to deny Gabon taking the lead from a set piece in the 12th minute but could do nothing four minutes later as Aubameyang made it 1-0 with a deft chip to beat the Richards Bay goalkeeper. It was a soft goal to concede, and McCarthy would’ve been disappointed to go down so early after their enthusiastic start.
But the Harambee Stars continued to push. Olunga had the ball in the back of the net in the 19th minute but tapped in from an off-side position. Richard Odada had a great chance two minutes later but couldn’t direct his shot from point-blank range on target.
Olunga went close again in the 40th minute, but Mbaba got a touch to his shot and was saved by the woodwork, as Kenya continued their push for an equaliser. It was another narrow miss five minutes later, as Olunga was unable to direct his header goalward.
At the break, Gabon held onto their one goal lead, despite the Kenyan’s efforts.
The woodwork denied Gabon a second in the 48th minute — Denis Bouanga’s effort struck the upright as Gabon started the second half with more ambition.
A minute later, it was a penalty for Gabon, after a handball in the box by Erick Ouma. Aubameyang made no mistake, sending Otieno the wrong way to make it 2-0.
Kenya though continued to fight, and William Lenkupae went close in the 59th minute, just shooting over, and then again a minute later, he forced a save from Mbaba.
And it paid off as Olunga got his name on the scoresheet finally in the 62nd minute, tucking away a great cross from Ouma — 2-1. The Nyayo National Stadium erupted as Kenya hoped that, for the second game in a row, their team could fight back from two goals down.
A few half-chances kept the Harambee Stars’ hopes up, with Duke Abuya’s goalbound shot blocked in the 76th minute, and McCarthy’s troops continued to pile the pressure on the Gabonese defence.
But despite a brave effort, it was not to be for the home team, and when the final whistle blew Gabon walked away with the three points, and McCarthy suffered his first defeat as coach.
Gabon took the opportunity to go top, moving to 15 points. The loss for Kenya all but ends their hopes of qualifying, as they are now on 9 points behind the leaders.
