Kenya, March 21 -- A brace from prolific captain Michael Olunga and goals from promising debutants Mohammed Bajaber and William Lenkupae powered Kenya's Harambee Stars to an exhilarating 3-3 draw against Gambia in a World Cup qualifying match on Friday.
The pulsating encounter, held at the Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara, showcased Kenya's attacking prowess and resilience in a fiercely contested battle.
Olunga, the team's talismanic striker, once again proved his worth with two clinical finishes, while Bajaber and Lenkupae marked their international debuts with impressive strikes, hinting at a bright future for Kenyan football.
Gambia fought back with determination, netting three goals of their own to share the spoils in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.
The result marks a positive start for South African head coach Ben McCarthy, who took charge of Harambee Stars with ambitions of steering the team to their first-ever World Cup appearance.
Despite the draw, McCarthy will be encouraged by his side's attacking output as they prepare for their next challenge.
Kenya now turns their attention to a crucial home fixture against Gabon, set for Sunday at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
With momentum on their side, the Harambee Stars will look to capitalise on home support and build on this promising performance in their quest for World Cup qualification.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.