Ivory Coast must, at all costs, beat Gambia to reclaim the top spot of Group F.
Gabon is leading the group after recording an important 2-1 win at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi against Kenya
The trip was a tough one considering how Benni McCarthy’s men fared in his first game as the head coach of the Kenyan national team. The Harambee Stars played 3-3 against Gambia in McCarthy’s first game in Kenya.
The performance was sensational, so they were in high spirits facing Gabon.
Gabon had gotten 12 points from a possible 15 before the Nairobi trip. Led by the imperious Pierre Emerick Aubamenyang, Gabon will always pose a threat because of his presence.
Nairobi was quietened by the former Arsenal and Barcelona striker earlier in the game. The French-born forward put Gabon ahead in the 16th minute after Guelor Kanga assisted him. Gabon went to the break with a narrow 1-0 win.
In the second half, Aubamenyang converted a 57th-minute penalty to put Gabon in a comfortable lead.
Captain Micheal Olunga’s 62nd-minute strike was a mere consolation for the Harambee Stars of Kenya.
The 2-1 win is so important for Gabon as they have amassed an astonishing 15 points from 6 games. Thierry Mouyouma’s Panthers of Gabon will be extremely delighted with how things have panned out in March’s international break.
In the other game on Sunday, Eswatini drew an entertaining 3-3 draw against Mauritius in South Africa at the Mbombela Stadium.
Philani Mkhontfo scored a brace for Eswatini while Lindsay Rose and Aristide Yannick were among the scorers for Mauritius.
