Harambee Stars humbled in Nairobi

Kenya suffered a humbling 1-3 defeat at the hands of the Gambia in a 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifier played at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi on Friday afternoon.

The Scorpions ran riot to score via Sheriff Sinyan, Yankuba Minteh and Musa Barrow, recording their second win in Group F and leapfrogging the Harambee Stars to claim fourth spot in the standings.

Kenya created plenty of early pressure, but the Gambia claimed the lead against the run of play in the 12th minute, as Yankuba Minteh’s corner kick was headed home by defender Sheriff Sinyan.

And Minteh went from assister to scorer in the 27th minute, running onto a brilliant through ball from Musa Barrow before stabbing a low shot beyond goalkeeper Byrne Omondi for 2-0.

The Scorpions continued to look a major threat every time they had the chance to attack, and added to their advantage in the 38th minute when Barrow cracked home a volley on the bounce for 3-0.

Kenya coach Benni McCarthy made a couple of changes at the start of the second half, and the hosts were much improved, but they struggled to create chances against a well-organised Gambian defence.

The Scorpions were happy to sit on their lead and look to hit the Harambee Stars on the counterattack, though the passing lanes were far more restricted in the second 45 minutes, leaving the likes of Barrow and Minteh to endure a more frustrating period of play.

Kenya’s persistence in attack was rewarded in the 82nd minute when substitute Ryan Ogam was able to stab a shot beyond Gambia goalkeeper Boubacarr Gaye to reduce the deficit to 1-3.

The teams will return to Group F action next Tuesday, 9 September, with Kenya hosting the Seychelles and Gambia taking on Burundi – both in Nairobi.

Kenya (0) 1 (Ogam 82’)

Gambia (3) 3 (Sinyan 12’, Minteh 27’, Barrow 38’)

Kenya: B. Omondi, R. Odada (A. Onyango 46’), O. Khamis, D. Abuya, T. Ouma (M. Okwaro 46’), W. Lenkupae, M. Olunga, R. Onyango (J. Ochieng 73’), C. Sichenje, E. Osoro (R. Ogam 65’), S. Owino

Gambia: B. Gaye, M. Bajo (A. Barry 63’), S. Sanyang, O. Colley, E. Adams (M. Drammeh 84’), A. Sidibeh (A. Bojang 63’), A. Saine, M. Barrow, S. Sinyan, Y. Minteh (A. Sanyang 84’), M. Sanneh (J. Ceesay 46’)