Benni McCarthy started his tenure as the new Kenya national team head coach with a draw after his team scored a stoppage-time goal to secure a 3-3 draw against Gambia in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Thursday night.

Musa Barrow, who plies his trade in the Middle East for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Taawoun, gave Gambia the lead in the 55th minute after Richards Bay goalkeeper Ian Otieno saved his penalty on the half-hour mark.

The host team doubled their lead through Brighton & Hove Albion starlet Yankuba Minteh seven minutes later, before Al Duhail star Michael Olunga pulled one back for Kenya from the spot in the 69th minute. Mohammed Bajaber leveled matters six minutes later.

Barrow scored his second of the match with a right-footed strike in the 84th minute, pouncing from an assist provided by second-half substitute Abdoulie Ceesay, before William Wilson salvaged a point for the Kenyans with a stoppage-time goal.

While the Harambee stars showed zeal in the South African’s first match in the dugout, the stalemate will be a slight setback in their quest for a spot in the global showpieces set to be jointly hosted by USA, Mexico, and Canada.

Kenya remains in fourth place with five points accumulated from five games played in Group F. The East African Nation trails table-toppers Gabon, who eased past Seychelles 3-0 on the same night, with six points.

Moreover, they are five points behind second-placed Ivory Coast, who are in action against Burundi on Friday night, with four points. However, Kenya still has a chance to book their ticket with 15 points still to play for in the remaining five games.

Up next for the Bafana Bafana legend and his troops is a visit from Gabon at Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday. McCarthy will be determined to get his era off the mark with maximum points on home soil.