CAPE TOWN: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice as Gabon claimed a 2-1 win over Kenya in their 2026 World Cup qualifier in Nairobi on Sunday to move two points clear of Ivory Coast in the race for a place at the finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Gabon, who have never qualified for the World Cup, move to 15 points from their six games in Group ‘F’, while the Ivorians have 13 points from five matches and are next in action at home to Gambia.

The top team in each of the nine groups earns a place at the finals, while the four best runners-up enter an arduous inter-continental playoff campaign for one further berth.

Trailing Gabon by nine points with just four matches to play, Kenya are all but out of contention for a first appearance at the global showpiece.

The-35-year-old Aubameyang, who now plays in the Saudi Pro League, netted his first goal with a fine finish from 15 metres that burst through the goalkeeper’s hands, before he added a second from the penalty spot. Eric Ouma handled an Aubameyang shot as Gabon were awarded a penalty that the 2015 African Footballer of the Year calmly converted.

Kenya are now likely out of the running with six points from six matches. They pulled back a goal through Michael Olunga but new coach Benni McCarthy has managed a single point from his first two games in charge.

McCarthy, the former Manchester United assistant coach and star South Africa forward, can now concentrate on the African Nations Championship, which Kenya co-hosts in August.

In the only other fixture on Sunday, minnows Eswatini and Mauritius played to a 3-3 draw in neutral South Africa. Neither are realistically in the running for a World Cup place.

Having scored only once in five qualifiers, Eswatini netted twice within 18 minutes of the kick-off, with Philani Mkhonto claiming both.

Mauritius struck twice early in the second half through Lindsay Rose and Yannick Aristide, only forMayibongwe Mabuza to put Eswatini ahead again.

Emmanuel Vincent salvaged a point for Mauritius with an added-time equaliser in Mbombela. Eswatini played in the South African city because they lack a FIFA-approved venue.

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2025