Kenya make amends to thrash Lesotho in final June friendly

After drawing 1-1 with the same opponents in the first friendly, Kenya coach Benni McCarthy rang the changes to the starting eleven, with AFC Leopards midfielder Kelly Madada among those given a start.

Wealdstone FC centre-back Deon Woodman made his debut, partnering Alphonce Omija at the heart of the defence. Kenya began as the stronger side and squandered an opportunity created by Mohammed Bajaber from a corner.

Bajaber opened the scoring

However, two minutes later Kenya took the lead. Bajaber, who plays for Simba SC in Tanzania, found himself in the right place at the right time to tap home an inviting cross from Micah Obiero.

Despite Kenya taking the lead, Lesotho began to dominate proceedings, and on two occasions they wasted chances. Lehlohonolo Fothoane, who plays for Township Rollers in Botswana, was the main culprit.

His first attempt was saved by Kenya goalkeeper Brian Bwire before the former Tusker shot-stopper made another superb save to deny Fothoane, who was through on goal.

Likuena remained the dominant side as the game approached half-time, with Bwire once again stopping a free kick from Tlotliso Mapola. At the start of the second half, Sera Motebang was replaced by Lemohang Lintsa.

For McCarthy, Madada was withdrawn for Grimsby Town defender Clarke Oduor, while Eric Ouma, returning from injury, was introduced for Stanley Wilson.

In the 52nd minute, Bajaber doubled Kenya’s lead when he struck an inviting cross from Austin Odhiambo past Sekhoane Moerane. Kenya’s 2-0 lead forced Lesotho coach Bob Mafoso to make a double change, including a change of goalkeeper.

Moerane was withdrawn following an injury after coming into contact with Obiero, and was replaced by Leluma Mofoka. Before he was withdrawn, Moerane had also been shown a red card for misconduct.

Ouma scored twice

McCarthy made further changes, with Amos Nondi, Lawrence Okoth, Sydney Agina, Sammy Henia Kamau and Caleb Kramer coming on for Austin Odhiambo, William Lenkupae, Rooney Onyango, Micah Obiero and Bwire respectively.

The returning Otieno, popularly known as 'Marcelo', almost scored Kenya’s third after his powerful left-footed effort went over the bar, following Henia Kamau’s groundwork from the right side.

However, Kenya were not to miss the target when Lawrence Ouma made it 3-0 in the 84th minute. The SJK Akatemia forward found himself in a one-on-one situation with the Lesotho keeper and thundered his effort into the top left corner for his third goal for Kenya.

Ouma showed composure to finish off a looping cross from Sydney Agina. Before the dust could settle, Kenya made it 4-0, and it was that man Ouma who sealed a brace after being set up by Bajaber.

Both teams used the friendly to prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign. Harambee Stars have been drawn in Group D of the qualifiers alongside South Africa, Guinea and Eritrea.

Kenya, as one of the co-host nations of the tournament, have already secured automatic qualification for the 2027 edition.

Despite the automatic qualification, Harambee Stars will still participate in the qualification campaign alongside the other nations in Group D.