Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to lead Gabon to a crucial 2-1 victory over Kenya in their African 2026 World Cup qualifier on Sunday.
The 35-year-old former Arsenal and Barcelona striker, now playing in the Saudi Pro League, netted goals in the 16th and 52nd minutes in front of a sold-out 15,000 crowd in Nairobi. Michael Olunga pulled one back for Kenya in the 62nd minute, but it wasn’t enough to stop Gabon from securing all three points.
With the win, Gabon moved to 15 points in Group F, with reigning African champions Ivory Coast on 13, Burundi on seven, Kenya on six, Gambia on four, and Seychelles yet to register a point.
Ivory Coast will host Gambia on Monday, and Burundi will face Seychelles on Tuesday in the other matchday six fixtures.
If neither Gabon nor Ivory Coast experience a dramatic collapse, the two teams will likely battle for first place when they meet in September.
The nine group winners will automatically qualify for the expanded 48-nation World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A 10th African qualifier will emerge from a mini-tournament between the four best-ranked runners-up, with the winners advancing to intercontinental play-offs for two final spots.
Kenya, trailing Gabon by nine points with just four matches remaining, are all but out of contention for their first-ever World Cup appearance. New coach Benni McCarthy, the former Manchester United assistant and South African star, can now turn his attention to the African Nations Championship, which Kenya co-hosts in August.
Gabon took the lead through a veteran combination: Serbia-based Guelor Kanga, 34, crossed for an unmarked Aubameyang, who fired a low shot across goalkeeper Ian Otieno into the net.
Kenya’s captain, Michael Olunga, was a constant threat, hitting the post and heading another effort wide before halftime. This match was Kenya’s first international home fixture since 2021, with the Nyayo National Stadium not meeting FIFA standards, forcing the Harambee Stars to host games in various countries, including neighboring Uganda.
When Eric Ouma handled an Aubameyang shot, Gabon was awarded a penalty, which the 2015 African Footballer of the Year calmly converted.
Olunga scored his fourth goal of the World Cup qualifiers to bring Kenya back into the contest, tapping in a low cross past Gabon goalkeeper Loyce Mbaba from close range.
Both teams had chances in a lively finish, but no further goals were scored, and Gabon completed the double over Kenya, having won 2-1 in the first round.
In other qualifiers, Eswatini and Mauritius played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Group D, where Cape Verde currently lead the table, followed by Cameroon, Libya, and Angola.
Eswatini, having scored only once in their first five qualifiers, netted twice within 18 minutes of kickoff through Philani Mkhonto. Mauritius responded early in the second half with goals from Lindsay Rose and Yannick Aristide, but Mayibongwe Mabuza restored Eswatini’s lead. Emmanuel Vincent salvaged a point for Mauritius with a dramatic equalizer in added time. Eswatini, lacking a FIFA-approved venue, played the match in Mbombela, South Africa.
