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Mohammed Bajaber was a shing light in Harambee Stars 3-3 draw against The Gambia but how did he perform at the Alassane Quattara Stadium in Ivory Coast?
Harambee Stars managed a 3-3 draw against The Gambia, thanks to the perfect substitutions made by coach Benni McCarthy whose Stars reign got off to a dream start.
Despite the scoreline, Harambee Stars players showed character especially coming from two goals down to claim a crucial point heading into matchday six against Gabon, who slayed Seychelles 3-0 in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
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10:50 - 22.03.2025
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While the spotlight will be on Kenya's sloppy and sluggish defense that allowed two cheap goals scored by The Gambia, Benni McCarthy will be grateful that his decision to drop experienced attacking midfielders in favor of the little-known Mohammed Bajaber paid off handsomely.
Musa Barrow and Yankub Minteh gave the Gambia a healthy 2-0 lead inside 62 minutes, a scoreline that ratified McCarthy to introduce Bajaber and Jonah Ayunga in the 62nd minute at the Alassane Ouattara Stadium, in Ivory Coast.
Bajaber, playing in one of the noisiest stadiums in Africa, was yellow carded five minutes after introduction. While the caution was expected to slow down his agility, on this occasion, it seemed to spur on the Kenya Police creative lynchpin.
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The diminutive attacker is a player who loves to have the ball at his feet. With the ball, Bajaber is the most dangerous player because he can score, create chances, curve backlines open with defense-splitting passes as well as link attack to become more cohesive and functional.
His calm nature was evident when he drew Kenya level in the 75th minute as he weaved his way past Gambia’s defenders before expertly placing a clever strike beyond Ebrima Jarju. His first goal in Harambee Stars colours, sparked wild celebrations from the handful of Kenyan supporters at the Stadium.
With the scoreline at 2-2 after AlDuhail striker Michael Olunga scored his 30th Stars goal from the penalty spot in 69th minute, Kenya was on the ascendancy and the subs were engineering the comeback. Bajaber was at it again in the 82nd minute, his 30-yard Kevin De Bruyne-esque razor-sharp pass opened up a tired-looking Gambia defense only for Ronny Onyango's tame shot was good enough for a corner kick.
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The withdrawal of Olunga for Masoud Juma in the 85th minute raised eyebrows considering that the Stars were 3-2 down at the time. The players, eager to prove a point that Kenya can compete against any team, continued to pile pressure in the opposition box as Bajaber became a clear creative outlet that was brutally brought down on a couple of occasions to avoid embarrassing defenders.
Kenya scored the third goal with barely the last kick of the ball but, on this evidence, coach Benni McCarthy faces a tough decision regarding Bajaber. With Harambere Stars needing to beat Gabon at the Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, Kenya need to play offensive football from the first whistle and Bajaber deserves a starting role if his cameo appearance against the Gambia was anything to go by.
Bajaber created three quality chances in the 36 minutes he was on the field. He was a pain on the neck of Gambia's defense as he toyed the defenders with his quick feet and trickery. It is impossible to silence Bajaber as he can interchange positions but given chance to thrive in a free role, his magical right foot can leave defenders kissing the floor.
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He is a true testimony that Kenya is endowed with talent. Bajaber is the missing piece in Stars' attack and has proved that patience, perseverance, determination and hardwork, can take one places.
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