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Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, turn their attention to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers as they host The Gambia today, Friday, September 5, at the Moi International Sports Complex, Kasarani.
The Group F clash comes just weeks after Kenya’s CHAN campaign ended at the knockout stages.
This will be only the second meeting between the two sides, following their thrilling 3-3 draw in March 2025.
A victory for Kenya would create a five-point gap over their West African rivals, while defeat could see them overtaken in the standings with two rounds still to play.
Here’s a timeline of the much-anticipated clash between Kenya and The Gambia.
1′ Kenya Vs Gambia match kicks off
4′ William Lenkupae tries to score but misses
6′ Lenkupae misses out in the penalty area
10′ Gambia tries to score, Bryne Omondi saves
11′ first goal corner for Gambia
12′ Sheriff Sinyan scores from a corner for Gambia Kenya 0-1 Gambia
13′ Kenya scores but it is ruled offside
16′ Frees Kick for Gambia
17′ Kenya’s Abdur Omar and Gambia’s Ebou Adams handed a yellow card
20′ Gambia’ s Gaye saves Lenkupae’s shot
22′ Corner for Kenya
26′ Yankuba Minteh scores second goal for Gambia Kenya 0-2 Gambia
29′ Kenya tries to score but Gaye saves it, Kenya’s Duke Abuya handed yellow card
31′ Omondo delivers a save for Kenya
33′ Corner kick for Kenya
36′ Kenya 0-2 Gambia
38′ Gambia makes it three against Kenya after Musa Barrow nets in
41′ Harambee Stars awarded free kick
45′ Kenya 0-3 Gambia,Five minutes added extra time
45+4 Collins Sichenje handed a yellow card
46′ Second half kicks off
Kenya’s Manzur Okwaro comes in, Timothy Ouma out, Alpha Onyango in, Richard Odada out
Gambia’s Ceesay in Muhammed out
54′ Yellow card for Silvester Owino
55′ Corner for Gambia
62′ Gambia make two substitutions
64′ Ogam in, Osoro out
70′ Kenya 0-3 Gambia
72′ Olunga tries to score but he is ruled offside
74′ Gambia goalkeeper delivers a save as Kenya tries to net
79′ Corner kick for Harambee Stars
Also Read: McCarthy Explains Why Key Harambee Stars Players Have Been Left Out of World Cup Qualifiers Squad
Kenya Lineup vs The Gambia
Michel Olunga among first 11, Ryan Ogam and Boniface Muchiri benched. Sylvester Owino and Lenkupae start. Abud Omar captains Harambee Stars against Gambia.
Starting XI
- Omondi
- Abud (C)
- S. Owino
- R. Onyango
- Sichenje
- Odada
- T. Ouma
- Abuya
- Olunga
- Lenkupae
- Osoro
Substitutes
- Faruk
- Bwire
- Omija
- Kibwage
- Bandi
- Manzur
- Alpha
- Nabwire
- Stanley
- Ogam
- Job
- Muchiri
Gambia Lineup
Starting XI
13 Baboucarr Gaye (GK)
2 Mahmudou Bajo
51 Sainey Sanyang
4 Alagie Saine
5 Omar Colley
8 Ebrima Adams
9 Adama Sidibeh
10 Musa Barrow
12 Sheriff Sinyan
29 Yankuba Minteh
21 Muhammed Sanneh
Substitutes
Ebrima Jarju (GK)
Momodou Lion Njie
Alieu Fadera
Abdoulie Sanyang
Adama Bojang
Lars Joseph Ceesay
Asubacara Sedi Kinteh
Ali Sowe
Abubakhr Barry
Abdoulie Manneh
Mouhamadou Saiou Drameh
Group F Standings
After six matches, Stars sit fourth on six points, with Gabon firmly in control of the group on 18 points after thrashing Seychelles 4-0 on Thursday, September 4, in Saint Pierre.
Defending AFCON champions Ivory Coast are second and need just one more win to cement their place, a result that would all, but end Kenya’s qualification hopes.
Burundi, third with 10 points, remains mathematically in the race, while Gambia trails in fifth on four points. Seychelles are bottom without a point and remain capable of spoiling the party for the frontrunners.
Following Gabon’s win, Kenya and The Gambia, in fourth and fifth, cannot qualify directly to the World Cup but they have a chance to advance to the second round.
Also Read: 2026 World Cup Qualifiers: Fixtures, Standings, Results, and Key Dates
Harambee Stars have so far registered one win, three draws, and two losses in the qualifiers, scoring 11 goals and conceding eight.
Their campaign has included a 5-0 win over Seychelles, home and away 1-2 defeats to Gabon, a 1-1 draw with Burundi, and a goalless stalemate withthe Ivory Coast.
Kenya lost when last in action. They were turned over 2-1 at home to Gabon in the World Cup qualifier.
Meanwhile, Gambia suffered a defeat in their previous game. A 1-0 World Cup qualifying scoreline occurred on the road against Ivory Coast.
Despite struggling in the group, Stars come into the game unbeaten in their last five matches across competitions, with three wins and two draws.
Head coach Benni McCarthy, however, will be without dependable left-back Eric “Marcelo” Ouma, who is sidelined with a leg injury.
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