Bajaber, Okoth steal show with braces as Harambee Stars sweep Lesotho aside
Reading Time: 3min | Sun. 07.06.26. | 18:28
Stars will turn focus to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers
Mohammed Bajaber and Lawrence Okoth had an afternoon to remember as their braces inspired Harambee Stars to a 4-0 win over Lesotho in a friendly match played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, South Africa.
In the absence of several senior players, the duo stepped up to ensure that Stars returned to winning ways, having laboured for a 1-1 draw against the same opponent on Thursday.
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Both sides entered the return fixture determined to finish the friendly assignment on a high note.
However, it was Kenya who settled quicker and dictated proceedings from the opening whistle.
The visitors nearly made an early breakthrough when Bajaber latched onto Austine Odhiambo's pass, but the Simba SC forward failed to hit the target.
Moments later, Odhiambo came close himself after connecting with a Bajaber delivery, only to see his effort sail narrowly over the bar.
Kenya's bright start was rewarded in the 13th minute.
Micah Obiero picked out Bajaber with a well-weighted pass and the attacker calmly slotted home to give Harambee Stars a deserved lead.
Lesotho responded with a series of attacks. Mapola threatened to level matters, but Alphonce Omija produced a timely block to deny the hosts.
Shortly afterwards, Makuru found space inside the box, only for goalkeeper Brian Bwire to rush off his line and make a crucial save.
Stars continued to create chances before the break.
Kelly Madada fired wide from the edge of the area, while William Lenkupae's long-range effort narrowly missed the target as Kenya carried their slender advantage into halftime.
The second half resumed at a lively pace, with both teams searching for goals.
Odhiambo had another opportunity ten minutes after the restart after being released by Lenkupae, but his effort drifted wide.
Lesotho almost equalised just after the hour mark when Maftale was played through by Mapola, but Rooney Otieno stood firm to make an important defensive intervention.
Kenya eventually doubled their advantage through Bajaber, who completed his brace from close range.
The hosts continued to push forward through Makuru and Sera, but their efforts lacked the finishing touch.
Kenya thought they had added a third goal late on, only for Lenkupae's strike to be ruled out for offside.
The Harambee Stars were not done yet. Substitute Lawrence Ouma added a third goal moments later to further extend Kenya's lead as Lesotho struggled to contain the visitors' attacking threat.
Ouma then capped a memorable cameo in the closing stages, grabbing his second goal of the match and Kenya's fourth to seal an emphatic victory.
Despite Lesotho's late attempts to reduce the deficit, Harambee Stars remained solid at the back and comfortably saw out the match to claim a deserved 4-0 victory.
The result ensured Kenya finished the two-legged friendly series unbeaten, collecting four points from the two encounters.