Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbed a double as Gabon defeated Kenya’s Harambee Stars 2-1 in a 2026 World Cup Qualifier staged at a packed Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.
Aubameyang gave Gabon the lead a minute after the quarter-hour mark after capitalizing on some poor marking by the Stars defence to slot past Ian Otieno. While they were the first to score, Kenya had a series of chances of captain Michael Olunga once again missing some glorious opportunities in the first half.
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Gabon were to double their lead through Aubameyang’s penalty. The former Arsenal striker had seen his effort handled by defender Eric Ouma with the referee pointing to the spot; he coolly sent Otieno the wrong way in the penalty for his and Gabon’s second.
Olunga pulled back a goal in the 62nd minute to send Nyayo Stadium into delirium as they hoped for a comeback. The home side continued to push for the needed equalizer but their tempo was reduced by Gabon players who resorted to time-wasting tactics by going down at each opportunity they got.
With the loss, Kenya’s campaign has now taken a big knock following the defeat and 3-3 away draw to The Gambia a few days ago with the Benni McCarthy side now placed 4th in the Group with 6 points, while Gabon are top with 15 points, and Ivory Coast with 13 points.
The action continues on Monday with Ethiopia facing Djibouti in a Group A match to be played at the Ben M’Hamed El Abdi Stadium, El-Jadida in Morocco.
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