Benni McCarthy reacts to Kenya's six-goal thriller against Gambia as Bafana Bafana legend avoids defeat on international coaching debut - 'Very stressful, not happy'

Kenya came back from behind to force a 3-3 draw with Gambia in a 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifier Group F match at Stade Olympique Alassane Ouattara on Thursday.

It was Benni McCarthy's first match as Kenya coach and his debut leading a national side.

“Very stressful, not happy, but listen for the neutral it was very entertaining, lots of goals, that you don’t usually see in a game of football in World Cup qualifiers, but I think the two teams eliminated each other in the opening half,” McCarthy said as per iDiksi Times.

“We had brilliant opportunities with our captain Michael, one of the easiest he would get, he doesn’t take it with the header then straight after that, Gambia got into the game with some good momentum and were awarded a penalty. 

“Then we thought okay 1-0 up, they controlled the game a bit better – I think at the break it was a fair reflection of the game… second half was really bizarre, crazy, not sure if it was the altitude, heat or something got to us," added the former AmaZulu coach. 

“We made two errors in defence and if you grant Gambia that chance, with the players they have, they usually accurate in front of goal, and it 2-0 up many think it’s over, so I changed things around with some fresher legs, because most players only arrived on Tuesday from Europe with one day of training together.

“We got given a penalty, I’m not sure to say it’s soft but if it was given to them I would have been furious, so I can imagine how their coach feels – happy to receive it, captain steps up and scores, gave us hope and made us really start [playing], we looked like we’d score next and then a fantastic individual effort from Muhamed [Bajaber], a young player I’ve given an opportunity from out of nowhere," he continued.

“He took the goal exceptionally well – we thought there was momentum to control the game but then another rookie mistake – but like I said, one training session with the team, the organisation and communication isn’t there yet. 

“They got the 3-2 with six, seven minutes to go with a counter, where we should have scored, so I think it was a brilliant effort of the team [to draw]. Fortunately, the boys had a lot of fight, character and personality to fight until the end.

“Overall, a draw doesn’t help either team but I will take it as my first game in charge, happy with the point after a few days as coach of Kenya national team," the ex-FC Porto star went on.

“The positivity I see gives me a bit of hope that after another day or two, trainings we can squeeze in before the game against Gabon, gives me hope we can go one step better than today.”

After earning themselves a point, it did not count much for Kenya who remain fourth in Group F in these qualifiers.

They have six points fewer than log leaders Gabon.

That leaves McCarthy with a tall order to guide the Harambee Stars to World Cup qualification.

Kenya look to pick their second win of Group F when they host Gabon in Nairobi on Sunday.

It would be McCarthy's second match in charge of the Harambee Stars and playing at home gives him pressure to win.