Kenya's national football team, Harambee Stars, settled for a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in an international friendly match played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa.
Defender Frank Odhiambo gave Kenya an early advantage after finding the back of the net in the 14th minute. Benni McCarthy's men started brightly and controlled large portions of the first half, creating several opportunities to increase their lead.
Despite Kenya's strong start, Lesotho remained dangerous and continued to push for an equalizer. Their persistence paid off in the second half when Thabo Makhele scored to bring the Southern African side level and ensure both teams shared the spoils.
Coach Benni McCarthy made several changes after the break as he sought to maintain Kenya's advantage, but Lesotho grew stronger and eventually found the breakthrough that denied Harambee Stars victory.
The friendly encounter formed part of preparations for upcoming international assignments, including the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Kenya, one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON tournament, has already secured automatic qualification but will still participate in the qualification matches alongside other teams in Group D.
The draw provided McCarthy with another opportunity to assess his squad and build team chemistry as Harambee Stars continue their preparations for future continental competitions.
Match Summary
- Result: Kenya 1-1 Lesotho
- Venue: Lucas Moripe Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa
- Kenya Scorer: Frank Odhiambo (14')
- Lesotho Scorer: Thabo Makhele
Although Kenya failed to secure a win, the performance offered encouraging signs as Harambee Stars continue to shape their squad under Benni McCarthy's leadership.
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