Harambee Stars extend 33-year wait for victory against Lesotho after drab draw
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 04.06.26. | 18:08
The two teams are set to face each other in a second friendly slated for Sunday, 7 June at the same venue
Harambee Stars relinquished a first-half lead to settle for a 1-1 draw against Lesotho in an international friendly match staged at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, on Thursday, 4 June.
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Frank Odhiambo handed Benni McCarthy's men a dream start with a goal in the 12th minute, but Thabo Makhele netted with 20 minutes left on the clock.
Harambee Stars will look to grab their first win against Lesotho since Saturday, 24 April 1993, when Kenya ran out 3-0 winners as the two nations face each other again in a second friendly slated for Sunday, 7 June at the same venue.
The match got off to a fairly balanced start as both teams sought to settle into their rhythm.
After a cagey opening period, Harambee Stars broke the deadlock in the 12th minute when Frank Odhiambo found the back of the net to hand the visitors an early advantage.
Lesotho responded positively and nearly restored parity four minutes later through Teboho Letsema, who beat his marker but dragged his effort wide of the target.
The hosts continued to push forward and came close again when Motebang Sera combined well with Letsema, only for his header to drift off target.
Kenya remained threatening on the counterattack. Ben Stanley almost doubled the lead after latching onto a long pass from Odhiambo, but the Gor Mahia midfielder's volley sailed wide.
Zech Obiero also tested the hosts' defence after linking up with Mohammed Bajaber, though his effort flew over the crossbar.
Lesotho's Lehlohonolo Fothoane threatened with a long-range strike that narrowly missed the target before Kenya squandered another promising opportunity.
Lawrence Okoth raced onto a through ball from Clarke Oduor but failed to hit the target as the visitors carried a 1-0 lead into the break.
The second half resumed at an intense pace with both sides searching for goals.
Kenya nearly extended their advantage through Erick 'Marcelo' Ouma, whose effort drifted wide after a promising run.
Lesotho responded through defender Rethabile Mokokoane, but his header from Tumelo Makha's delivery failed to trouble the Kenyan defence.
The hosts continued to press and came agonisingly close when Sera connected with a cross from Fothoane, only to see his volley flash narrowly wide.
Kenya also created chances through Stanley Wilson and Rooney Onyango, but neither could find the decisive touch.
Lesotho eventually found the breakthrough deep into the second half. Thabo Makhele capitalised on a scoring opportunity and calmly slotted past goalkeeper Caleb Kramer, who had just come on seconds before the goal.
Despite late efforts from both teams to snatch victory, neither side could find a winner as the contest ended all square.
The two nations will renew their rivalry on Sunday, 7 June at the same venue in the second and final friendly encounter.