Aubameyang double lifts Gabon as Mauritius and Eswatini share six-goal thriller

CAF

23-03-2025

Published: Sunday, 23 March 2025
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Gabon climbed to the top of Group F with a 2-1 win over Kenya, while Eswatini and Mauritius played out a dramatic 3-3 draw in World Cup 2026 qualifying on Sunday.
The former Arsenal striker struck early to give Gabon the lead in Nairobi, before converting a penalty early in the second half to double the advantage.
Kenya responded just after the hour mark through Michael Olunga, but the Panthers held on to secure a vital three points on the road.
Gabon's win sends them to the summit of Group F with 15 points, overtaking Côte d'Ivoire and boosting their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in their history.
For the Harambee Stars, the result is a major setback, leaving them with work to do in the second half of the campaign.
Elsewhere in Group B, Eswatini and Mauritius produced a six-goal thriller in a game full of twists and late drama.
Thabo Mkhonto gave the home side a dream start with a quickfire brace inside 16 minutes.
But Mauritius hit back after the break, with goals from Linsley Rose and Yven Aristide levelling the contest within three minutes of each other.
Eswatini appeared to have secured the win when Mabuza restored their lead in the 75th minute.
However, Jean struck in stoppage time to salvage a point for the visitors, who remain at the foot of the group.
The result keeps both Eswatini and Mauritius stuck in the lower half of the Group B standings, with their hopes of qualification hanging by a thread heading into the final rounds.