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Harambee Stars rallied from a 2-0 down to draw 3-3 against Gambia at the 2026 World Cup qualifier match but how did Benni McCarthy's charges manage to break down teir opponents?
The final whistle at Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Ivory Coast on Thursday was met with jubilation in the Harambee Stars technical bench.
The players heaved sigh of relief after a hard fought 3-3 draw against The Gambia in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The precious point marked the beginning of South African Benni McCarthy's tenure with the national team, Harambee Stars.
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Despite training with the local-based players for just a week , the former Manchester United assistant coach executed a tactical masterclass and his tactics were spot-on especially in the second half with game-changing substitutions. This begs the question; how did McCarthy inspire his charges to come from 2-0 down to claim the point?
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Pulse Sports brings you the tactical execution that the former FC Porto produced and reason behind playing on the offensive in the second half.
Harambee Stars' formation
Harambee Stars starting XI was made up of 10 abroad-based players, save for Ronney Onyango who is still a Gor Mahia player despite heading to Norway for trials. This allowed McCarthy to switch formations between the match. For 60 minutes, the Stars lined up in more of a 4-3-3 formation.
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21:59 - 20.03.2025
Benni McCarthy kicks off Kenya reign with hard-fought comeback draw against Gambia
Harambee Stars fought hard in a tense Group F match staging a strong comeback but ultimately settling for a dramatic draw.
Teddy Akumu, Ishmael Gonzalez and Richard Odada provided steel in midfield, allowing John Avire, Michael Olunga and Eric Johana the reedom to attack ferociously. The introduction of Mohammed Bajaber and Duke Abuya allowed Kenya to switch to a 4-2-3-1 formation and it proved to be the game-changer.
Stars' midfield could carry the ball and the fluid movement and attacking patterns were created. McCarthy was fearless in making bold changes and it paid off.
Player movement and transition.
Off the ball, Harambee Stars played with five defenders as Teddy Akumu slotted in at center back. With the ball, Harambee Stars were quick on transition, with William Lenkupae and Bajaber either side of the flanks, opening up the Gambia defense. The importance of Akumu cannot be underestimated as a defensive midfielder.
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Rarely, he ventured forward, but ensured the backline was cushioned with tackles and interceptions. Bajaber tried to tack into midfield, collect the ball and create something out of nothing and his unpredictable nature found Gambia off guard.
Ball possession and progression
Harambee Stars build-up play involved both long balls and patient interplay from midfield. When they went long, the wingers stretched Gambia's backline. Daniel Anyembe played two dangeroud long balls to pick out Olunga in the Gambia box and the towering striker always got the balls.
The Stars defended the set pieces astutely.The match against Gambia was an eye-opener for Benni McCarthy. He needs to rejig his starting XI against the Gabon considering the substitutes made the impact from the bench and almost all of them need to start to give Stars a fighting chance.
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