Kenya’s slim hopes of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup suffered a major setback this evening after a heavy 3-1 defeat to the Scorpions of Gambia at Kasarani Stadium.
The Harambee Stars started brightly, with Sylvester Owino testing Gambian goalkeeper Ebrima Jarju with a header in the ninth minute. But that early momentum quickly dissipated.
Just a minute later, Sheriff Sinyan nodded home from a corner to hand the visitors the lead, moments after Musa Barrow had already forced a sharp save from Byrne Omondi.
Brighton’s Yakubah Minteh had a golden opportunity to double the advantage in the 12th minute after robbing Collins Sichenje at the edge of the box, but shot straight at Omondi.
However, he made amends in the 20th minute, latching onto a perfectly weighted through-ball from Barrow before calmly sliding the ball past the advancing Kenyan keeper.
Minteh almost turned provider shortly after, beating Sichenje down the right and cutting the ball back for Barrow, who squandered the chance with the goal at his mercy.
Kenya tried to respond, with Duke Abuya forcing a save from Jarju with a powerful long-range strike.
Emmanuel Osoro pounced on the rebound, but his effort lacked the power to trouble the keeper. That missed opportunity proved costly.
Barely a minute later, Barrow made up for his earlier miss with a thunderous volley from the right, latching onto a cross to make it 3-0 for the Scorpions and all but seal the result before halftime.
Kenya showed improvement in the second half following midfield changes, with Alpha Onyango and Manzur Okwaro replacing the ineffective Richard Odada and Timothy Ouma.
Despite the increased intensity, Benni McCarthy’s side struggled to break down a disciplined Gambian defense, who were content to sit deep and strike on the counter.
The introduction of Ryan Ogam injected some urgency into the Kenyan attack, and the home side did manage to pull one back late in the game. But it was too little, too late.
Kenya now turns their attention to Tuesday’s clash against Seychelles, also at Kasarani, in what is fast becoming a must-win fixture to keep any faint hopes of qualification alive.