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Kenya paid the price for a poor second-half display as the Panthers of Gabon came from behind to collect all points in their 2026 World Cup qualifier
Harambee Stars started their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-1 defeat away to Gabon in Franceville on Thursday.
Kenya started slowly and nearly lost goalkeeper Patrick Matasi to injury when he went down after just four minutes following a collision in the box.
Gabon had gone on an attack, getting into the box before Matasi got injured as he went to save the ball but he was treated on the pitch and passed fit to continue.
Guelor Kanga had Gabon’s first attempt on Kenya’s goal when he cut inside on the left before unleashing a shot at the near post but Matasi was equal to the task inside 13 minutes.
Johann Obiang then sent through a ferocious shot from distance but it went over the bar in the 29th minute before the hosts suffered an injury blow when goalkeeper Junior Noubi went off with an injury.
A minute later, Kenya had their first shot on goal when Michael Olunga started a quick counter attack and after spotting the goalkeeper off his line, he opted to go for a shot which went just over the bar.
Kenya then took the lead five minutes to the break when Amos Nondi brought in a delightful diagonal ball and with the goalkeeper fumbling, Masoud Juma got a slight touch with head to direct the ball into the net.
With eight minutes added on, Harambee Stars stayed resolute to maintain their lead at halftime.
After the break, Gabon came out gun blazing, laying siege at Kenya’s goal. Anthony Oyono could have made it 1-1 in the 51st minute when he cut inside to unleash a shot which Johnstone Omurwa kept just out with s slight touch.
However, the Gabonese were not to be denied shortly after. A cross floated on the left side was missed by Omurwa with the ball falling to Denis Bounga who latched onto it to score, beating Matasi at his near post to draw level.
From then on, it was end-to-end with Kenya getting half chances which they failed to utilise but Gabon had two good chances, one missed and another saved by Matasi.
As the game wore on, Gabon kept attacking and were rewarded for their efforts when Kanga sent in a thunderous shot that Matasi cold do nothing to stop as the hosts came from behind to collect all three points.
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