Aubameyang Brace Moves Gabon Closer to First-Ever World Cup Spot
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice to fire Gabon to a 2-1 victory over Kenya in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Sunday in Nairobi.
The win takes Gabon two points clear at the top of Group F, boosting their hopes of qualifying for their first-ever World Cup. They now have 15 points from six matches, ahead of Ivory Coast, who sit second with 13 points but have a game in hand. The Ivorians will host Gambia on Monday.
Aubameyang opened the scoring with a powerful strike from 15 metres, which slipped through the hands of the Kenyan goalkeeper. He later doubled Gabon’s lead from the penalty spot after a handball in the box.
Although Kenya pulled one back through Michael Olunga, they were unable to find an equaliser. The defeat leaves Kenya with just six points from six games, all but ending their hopes of qualifying for the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada. New head coach Benni McCarthy has now picked up only one point from his first two matches in charge.
The top team in each of the nine groups will qualify automatically for the World Cup. Four of the best runners-up will have a second chance through an inter-continental playoff.
In Sunday’s other qualifier, Eswatini and Mauritius played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in South Africa. However, both nations remain well out of contention for a spot at the finals.
