World Cup Qualifiers: Aubameyang’s Brace Boosts Gabon, Sinks Kenya

In a crucial African 2026 World Cup qualifier on Sunday, former Arsenal and Barcelona striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to give Gabon a crucial 2-1 victory over Kenya.

After 16 and 52 minutes in front of a sold-out crowd of 15, 000 in Nairobi, the 35-year-old struck in the Saudi Pro League before Michael Olunga reduced the arrears on 62 minutes.

In Group F, Ivory Coast, the nation’s reigning African champion, has 13 points, Burundi has six, Kenya has six, Gambia has four, and Seychelles has none.

In other matchday six games, Ivory Coast hosts Gambia on Monday, while Burundi will host Seychelles on Tuesday.

Gabon and Ivory Coast, who meet in September, look set to compete for first place unless either team completely collapses.

The expanded 48-nation World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico is automatically open to the nine group winners.

As the four top-ranked runners-up compete in a mini-tournament, there might be a 10th African qualifier. The winners advance to intercontinental playoffs with two finals slots.

With only four games left, Kenya are almost out of luck for their first appearance at the world showpiece, trailing Gabon by nine points.

Former assistant coach of Manchester United and former world player from South Africa, Benni McCarthy, has been given time to concentrate on the African Nations Championship, which Kenya will host in August.

With the 34-year-old Serbian Guelor Kanga crossing for unmarked Aubameyang to fire past goalkeeper Ian Otieno and into the net, a pair of veteran players combined to put Gabon ahead.

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Olunga threat 

Action from Matchday 6 Day 1 is over!

Results for today. #WCQ pic. https://twitter.com/acubtEAVdN

In the first international hosted by Kenya since 2021, Olunga, the country’s captain, was a constant threat, hitting the post and heading home from the spot.

The Harambee Stars now play at home against various nations, including their neighbor, Uganda, because the Nyayo National Stadium did not meet FIFA standards.

Gabon were awarded a penalty by Eric Ouma after Aubameyang handled it, which the 2015 African Footballer of the Year calmly converted.

To reclaim Kenya’s place in the World Cup, Olunga scored his fourth goal of the campaign. Loyce Mbaba’s goalkeeper was saved by the Qatar-based forward with a low cross from close range.

After winning with a score of 2-1 in the first round, Gabon completed a double over Kenya. Both teams had chances in a lively finish.

In another draw, Eswatini and Mauritius defeated the lowest-placed teams in Group D, which were led by Cape Verde, Cameroon, Libya, and Angola, 3-3.

Within 18 minutes of the kick-off, Eswatini scored twice, with Philani Mkhonto taking the win. He had only scored once in five of his qualifiers.

With the help of Lindsay Rose and Yannick Aristide, Mauritius struck twice in the opening half before Mayibongwe Mabuza restored the lead.

In Mbombela, Emmanuel Vincent added an equalizer to save a point for Mauritius. Because there isn’t a FIFA-approved location nearby, Eswatini played in the South African city.

Source: Channels TV