Harambee Stars’ dream of qualifying for their maiden FIFA World Cup tourney was dealt a severe blow after failing to win their home match against Gabon, having lost five key battles.Kenya welcomed Gabon in a Group F 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match on Sunday 23 March at the Nyayo National Stadium from 1600 hrs where Gabon won 2-1.Follow our WhatsApp channel for more newsFormer Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored in the 16th minute to give Gabon a lead that they took to half-time before he completed his brace in the 52nd minute from the spot after Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma handled the ball in the box.Kenya captain Michael Olunga who missed a couple of chances initially found the back of the net in the 62nd minute but that could only serve as a consolation.Turkish giants courting Kshs 1.2 billion valued Kenyan wingerMozzart Sport looks at five key battles that Kenya lost in the match.Benni McCarthy vs Thierry MouyounaAs anticipated, the biggest battle of the match pitted Harambee Stars tactician Benni McCarthy and his Gabonese counterpart Thierry Mouyouna.McCarthy made changes to the squad that started against The Gambia, preferring a more attacking side but while this was welcomed, he failed to find a solution to the gaps between the full-backs and the centre-backs, a place Gabon exploited and resulted in their opening goal.##NAJAVA_MECA_8803387##Mouyouna on the other hand was well aware that he was playing away in a sold-out Nyayo Stadium and was cautious, remaining compact and capitalized on his side’s experience to emerge victorious on the day.Equally, both teams preferred starting from the back which was not excellent at times but for Mouyouna, when they survived a scare after they were dispossessed, they opted for long goal kicks while Kenya persisted and made mistakes which contributed to both goals.In his post-match press conference, the former Gabon international said that they had to be patient and humble and wait to utilize their chances, which they did through Aubameyang.Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Daniel Anyembe/Eric ‘Marcelo’ OumaOlunga’s message to fans as Kenya falls in World Cup clash, nears scoring recordWith Gabon opting largely for a 4-4-2 formation, Aubameyang was keen on exploiting the gap left between Daniel Anyembe and Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma.This positioning by the experienced former Barcelona striker resulted in the opening goal where Marcelo was caught out of position.For Anyembe, he found it difficult to follow Aubameyang to the space while also struggling to cover for Marcelo when he was on the overlap.In the end, Anyembe allowed Aubameyang to score two goals albeit one coming from the spot.##NAJAVA_MECA_8803388##Mario Lemina vs Richard OdadaThe midfield battle between Kenya’s Richard Odada and Gabon’s Mario Lemina was another key influence on how the results panned out.With both operating as central midfielders and tasked with dictating play, it was the former Wolverhampton Wanderers player who won as he controlled matters in the middle of the park with ease and precision.While Odada was giving his best on the pitch and competing for every ball, it was evident why Lemina was signed by Turkish giants Galatasaray and played at the highest level for teams that include Juventus, Olympic Marseille, Southampton and Fulham.Gor Mahia hits back at Benni McCarthy’s player release claimsWith the control of midfield, it was much easier for Gabon to beat Kenya and hand them a major bow in their World Cup hopes.Michael Olunga vs Loyce MbabaWhile the anticipated battle was between Kenya captain Michael Olunga and Gabon counterpart Ecuele Manga, it was Loyce Mbaba in goal who turned up for the battle.The former Gor Mahia forward failed to find the back of the net thrice in the first half; first when he went down while on goal, secondly when he rattled the post and when his header went out towards the end of the first half.##NAJAVA_MECA_8803391##The 2015 FKF Premier League Most Valuable Player (MVP) also failed to meet a cross from Marcelo in the second half but beat Mbaba in the 62nd minute for Kenya’s consolation.With the Al-Duhail man missing several chances and Gabon emerging victorious, it was Mbaba who won the battle.Guelor Kanga vs Rooney OnyangoRed Star Belgrade’s Guelor Kanga also got the better of Gor Mahia’s Rooney Onyango in Kenya’s right side of defense.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How Gabon exploited Erick ‘Marcelo’ Ouma to beat Harambee StarsOnyango struggled to cover the space between Omurwa and himself on the right side of defense and it was through losing possession on that side that Kanga provided the assist for Aubameyang’s opener.The former Wazito man was also guilty of playing the ball back to Kenya’s danger zone which Gabon took advantage of and won a penalty as Marcelo tried to make amends.
