Aubameyang dents Kenya's dreams of 2026 World Cup spot
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Gabon beat Kenya 2-1 in qualifying for the 2026 Fifa World Cup and severely dented the East Africans' hopes of reaching the finals.Victory sent Gabon two points clear of Ivory Coast at the top of Group F as the Panthers strengthened their own bid for a maiden appearance at the tournament.Former Arsenal striker Aubameyang opened the scoring when he lashed home with a right-footed shot in the 16th minute, and the 35-year-old celebrated with some trademark acrobatics.Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga had the best chances to equalise in Nairobi, having a shot tipped onto the post and then heading wide in first-half injury time.Aubameyang, who plays his club football in Saudi Arabia, doubled Gabon's lead from the penalty spot seven minutes after the break after Erick Ouma was penalised for handball.Olunga did pull one back in the 62nd minute, converting Ouma's low cross from the left, but Kenya could not find an equaliser and their chances of a first trip to the World Cup are fading with just four rounds of fixtures remaining.
Only the group winners are assured of a place at next year's tournament, while the four best second-placed sides across the nine groups will enter play-offs for a place at an intercontinental qualifier.Benni McCarthy had claimed a draw against The Gambia on Thursday in his first match as Harambee Stars boss, but defeat leaves Kenya seven points behind second-placed Ivory Coast having played a game more than the Elephants.The sixth round of the group campaign continues with eight fixtures on Monday, and Ivory Coast will return to the top of Group F if they beat the Gambians at home.
Eswatini and Mauritius draw thriller
Elsewhere, Mauritius fought back from 2-0 down and then scored an injury-time equaliser to claim a 3-3 draw away against Eswatini in Group D.Eswatini had surprisingly claimed their first point on Wednesday with a solid defensive display against five-time continental champions Cameroon, and were rewarded for their early ambition against Mauritius.Philani Mkhonto twice capitalised on hesitant defending to put the hosts 2-0 up inside 18 minutes in Mbombela.But set-pieces proved to be Eswatini's undoing in the second half as the visitors drew level within five minutes of the restart through goals from Lindsay Rose and Yannick Aristide.Mayibongwe Mabuza put Eswatini 3-2 up but Emmanuel Vincent rescued a point for the Indian Ocean islanders with his 91st minute free-kick.Eswatini remain bottom of Group D on two points, while Mauritius are fifth on five points.Cape Verde lead the group on 10 points, Cameroon are second on nine points and Libya and Angola remain in contention on eight and seven points respectively.
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