2026 WCQ: Kenya win very important in Gabon journey to qualify – Mouyouma

Photo Credit - Football Kenya Federation.

Gabon head coach Thierry Mouyouma has revealed his happiness at securing a hard-fought 2-1 win against Kenya’s Hraambee Stars in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday.

In a sold out fixture, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang led the way for the Panthers as he scored in either half to secure the vital win in Group F. The former Arsenal striker struck early to give Gabon the lead in Nairobi, before converting a penalty early in the second half to double the advantage.

Kenya responded just after the hour mark through Michael Olunga, but the Panthers held on to secure a vital three points on the road.

“I had said before the match that we would try to win the match and if not, we would work to come away with a draw. It was a different kind of game at a different kind of venue with the fact most of the other teams we have played, have been playing away from home, but it is an important win in our journey to World Cup,” Mouyouma told Pan-Africa Football.

“We had to increase our intensity, and the moment we scored and added the second, of course from Aubameyang penalty, we looked in control, but credit to Kenya because they fought hard to get something from the game, they did all they could, but that is football.”

Mouyouma continued: “Since we started, it was our first time to play in such kind of an atmosphere, because as you know Burundi plays their matched in Tanzania, obviously, other teams doesn’t play home, so we couldn’t play against a team where the stadium was fully packed,

 “Today was a different atmosphere where the stadium was packed, we really appreciate, thanks a lot the Kenyan fans, they were behind their team and they showed us a lot of respect, thanks again to the Kenyan fans.”

Gabon’s win pushed them to the summit of Group F with 15 points, overtaking Côte d'Ivoire and boosting their hopes of qualifying for the World Cup for the first time in their history.

For the Harambee Stars, the result is a major setback, leaving them with work to do in the second half of the campaign.

Group F Table

• The group winner qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

• Four of the nine group runners-up qualify for a playoff to determine Africa's representative at the intercontintal qualifying playoff.