France, March 23 -- Gabon retook pole position in the race with Cote d'Ivoire to play at the 2026 World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Kenyaon Sunday afternoon.

Veteran striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struck in the 16th minute for Gabon in theNyayo National Stadium in Nairobi.

The 35-year-old added the second from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute. Even though the hosts struck back 10 minutes later through Michael Olunga, Gabon held firm.

The victory tookThierry Dieudonne Mouyouma's men to 15 points in Group F.

Cote d'Ivoire, who have not featured at the World Cup since 2014, will leapfrog the Gabonese with a win over Gambia on Monday night at the Stade Felix Houphouet Boigny in Abidjan.

In Group D, four days after their shock 0-0 d...