Benni McCarthy started his reign as Harambee Stars coach with a 3-3 draw against The Gambia in Group F game staged at the Olympique Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The Kenyans came from two and 3-2 goals down respectively to get a vital point in the race for the 2026 World Cup.
The East Africans came into the match hoping to get maximum points to revive their chances of playing in the prestigious global competition for the first time in their history. Prior to the game, Harambee Stars had collected five points from four matches, two more than the Scorpions.
Premier Soccer League duo, Richards Bay FC goalkeeper Ian Otieno and Stellenbosch centre back Brian Onyango Mandela, were named in the starting team which also had the likes of Richard Odada, former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Anthony Akumu and of course captain Michael Olunga.
Otieno the hero saves Kenya in the first half
The Gambia, who are coached by former Gor Mahia and Uganda coach Johnathan McKinstry, were determined to get an early goal, but it was Olunga who had a clear chance within the first five minutes, but he headed narrowly wide.
As the game progressed, the hosts eventually settled, trying to create chances, with Alieu Fadera and Musa Barrow creating all sorts of problems.
In the 28th minute, Ali Sowe was slipped in by Barrow, but Otieno did well to deny him. However, the rebound fell to Fadera, and in his bid to save the situation, the Natal Rich Boys custodian conceded a penalty.
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old guessed correctly to deny Barrow from the penalty spot and ensure the game remained goalless. In the first 45 minutes, Gambia were the better team and could have scored at least two goals, but indecisiveness in the final third cost them.
Barrow makes amends but Lenkupae saves Kenya
Harambee Stars started the second half a better team, pushing forward with every chance they got. The Scorpions looked lost for ideas, as opposed to the initial half when they dominated.
In the 54th minute, a counter-attack from the Gambia ended with the ball played to the dangerous Barrow. He left Odada for dead before his rocket flew past Otieno in the Kenya goal.
Six minutes later, the Scorpions punished Stars again. A long ball was played to Joseph Ceesay who cut back to Yankuba Minteh. The Brighton and Hove Albion attacker beat Daniel Anyembe before firing past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Stars were given a lifeline when the referee gave them a penalty in the 67th minute when substitute Jonah Ayunga was fouled in the danger zone. Olunga stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong direction to make it 2-1.
Substitute Mohammed Bajaber leveled matters in the 75th minute when he controlled Eric Ouma's ball, and drove into the danger zone before drilling the ball into the top corner.
Barrow completed his brace with six minutes to go when he tapped home a deflected ball to make it 3-2 in favour of the Scorpions.
When it seemed like Benni will start his career in Kenya with a loss, William Lenkupae got a lose ball in the danger zone and hit the roof of the net to ensure it ended 3-3. Stars have now collected six points from five games.
McCarthy now hopes to collect his first win on Sunday when Kenya host leaders Gabon, who beat Seychelles 3-0, at Nyayo Stadium.
