Kenya coach McCarthy laments penalty call following Harambee Stars defeat to Gabon
- Andrew Olsson
- Mar 23
- 2 min read
Kenya national team coach Benni McCarthy had plenty to say about a second half penalty decision after the Harambee Stars fell to a 1-2 home defeat to Gabon on Sunday in 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying.
Early in the second half with Gabon up 1-0, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's shot attempt went off the arm of Kenya left back Erick Otieno as he leaped out to block the Gabon striker's effort. The linesman quickly flagged for a handball offense which led to Aubameyang's successful spot kick, his second goal of the match.
The call appeared to be correct with Otieno's arm clearly away from his body as he contested the shot. Regardless, McCarthy passionately defended Otieno's actions and questioned the decision in his post-match comments observed by Dennis Kegengo for Pan-Africa Football:
"When you come out in the second half and the referee gives an incident like that...because as a player how are you (supposed) to defend? If you turn your body and the ball hits you there (points to arm tucked against his body)? There is nothing the player can do."
McCarthy went on to refer to past incidents in the first half as well as the match earlier in the week against Gambia:
"They get a soft penalty and I ask myself...in the first half (Kenya striker) Michael Olunga was in a similar situation...he was ahead and the Gabonese player smashed him. He (the referee) doesn't give it and then he gives a soft penalty."
"So when you go 2-0 down then it becomes really difficult because now they (Gabon players) go down, the goalkeeper has cramps he was injured the whole game. So then they disrupt the rhythm of the game. But I'm super proud of my players...for the fight, the spirit. They showed what Kenyans is about."
Kenya is not nine points behind Gabon who moved back into top spot in Group F with group favorites Ivory Coast trailing by two points ahead of the Elephants' home match against Gambia on Tuesday. The Harambee Stars return to World Cup qualifying action in September when they will host Gambia and then Seychelles.