- Lesotho vs Kenya: Harambee Stars were held to a 1-1 draw by Lesotho in their June international friendly match.
- The first-leg encounter was played on Thursday, June 4, at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
- Frank Odhiambo gave Kenya the lead in the first half before Thabo Makhele restored parity for Lesotho in the second half.
Harambee Stars played out to a 1-1 draw with Lesotho in the first leg of the international friendly that unfolded on Thursday afternoon at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
Kenya were initially scheduled to face Palestine and Kyrgyzstan at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
However, those friendlies were cancelled, prompting coach Benni McCarthy’s side to take on 145th-ranked Lesotho instead.
ALSO READ: Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy open to Blackburn Rovers return
The encounter was a cagey affair for the first 13 minutes before Kenya drew first blood through defender Frank Odhiambo, who managed to bag his first ever goal with the national team, giving Harambee Stars the lead early in the first half.
Bob Mofoso, Lesotho’s head coach, was forced into an early first half substitution when he pulled Morena Moloi out for Tsepo Toloane.
Around the 40-minute mark, Lesotho began to dominate proceedings and camped in Harambee Stars’ territory, where they fluffed two clear chances that could have leveled things up, but Kenya’s defense stayed resolute.
Before halftime, Kenya crafted a chance from a sharp counterattack.
Frank slipped a low ball to Zech Obiero on the right wing, who surged into the box and managed to bypass the Lesotho defense, only for his quick shot to be deflected for a corner that led to nothing.
Benni McCarthy made two changes just two minutes after kickoff, bringing Richard Odada and Clarke Odour off for Chrispine Erambo and William Lenkupae respectively, adding fresh legs.
Those fresh legs did not alter the outcome anytime soon. Harambee Stars created openings inside the box but fired weak efforts that played into Lesotho’s hands.
The Likuena then had an opportunity to level just past the hour mark when Farouk Shikhalo wandered off his line, and Lesotho only needed to chip the ball into the net, but they guided it over the bar.
McCarthy made more adjustments in the 68th minute, bringing on Erick Ouma for Ben Stanley while also swapping custodians. Shikhalo came off for Kramer Caleb.
At that moment, Lesotho had won a free kick on the right wing. Rethabile Mokokoane swung it into the box, the ball kissed the woodwork and fell straight to their captain Thabo Makhele, who made no mistake in nodding home the equalizer.
Not much excitement followed in the remaining minutes, as Lesotho’s defense stayed stubborn while Kenya’s attempts were not particularly threatening, with both sides sharing the spoils.
The return leg of this friendly will be played at the same venue on Sunday, June 7. These encounters are giving McCarthy some insight into his team’s level ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.
Lesotho vs Kenya lineups
- Lesotho: Leluma Moeka, Kenneth Falene, Katloho Koaeana, Thabo Makhele, Rethabile Mokokoane, Kananelo Rapuleng, Mrena Moloi (Tsepo Toloane), Teboho Letsema, Lehlohonolo Fothoane, Motebang Sera, Tumelo Makha
- Kenya: Farouk Shikhalo, Frank Odhiambo, Ronney Onyango, Richard Odada (Chrispine Erambo), Stanley Wilson, Clarke Odour (William Lenkupae), Zech Obiero, Mohammed Bajaber, Ben Stanly Omondi, Lawrence Okoth