News Focus
- Harambee Stars secure dominant 4-0 victory over Lesotho at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria
- Mohammed Bajaber scores twice in the 9th and 51st minutes to put Kenya in control
- Substitute Lawrence Okoth adds late double in the 83rd and 87th minutes
- England-born defender Deonysus Woodman makes senior debut for the national team
- Win serves as redemption after the two sides drew 1-1 in the same venue four days prior
Harambee Stars produced a commanding performance to defeat Lesotho 4-0 in their international friendly at Lucas Moripe Stadium on Sunday evening. Mohammed Bajaber and Lawrence Okoth each scored twice as coach Benni McCarthy’s side bounced back strongly from a 1-1 stalemate against the same opponents earlier in the week.
The Kenyan team showed intent from the opening whistle. Bajaber opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Richard Odada intercepted a costly defensive error from Lesotho. The forward, who plays his club football in Tanzania, received the ball inside the box and fired home from close range to give the visitors an early advantage.
The former Nairobi City Stars striker doubled his tally six minutes after the restart. Zech Obiero delivered a low cross from the right flank, and Bajaber demonstrated sharp predatory instincts to guide the ball into the net for his second goal of the evening.
McCarthy then introduced several changes to freshen up his side. Dutch goalkeeper Caleb Kramer, England-born Sydney Agina, Samuel-Henia Kamau, Finland-based Okoth and Amos Nondi all entered the pitch. The substitutes needed time to settle, but Kenya soon regained their rhythm and dominance.
Agina created the third goal in the 83rd minute. The midfielder threaded a precise pass to Okoth on the edge of the area, and the forward struck the ball first-time past goalkeeper Leluma Moeoka. Four minutes later, Bajaber turned provider with an overhead cross from deep inside the Kenyan half. Okoth controlled the ball brilliantly, shifted it onto his right foot, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner to complete the scoring.
The fixture also marked a senior debut for English-born defender Deonysus Woodman. The centre-back partnered Alphonce Omija in the heart of the defence as McCarthy continues to integrate his foreign-based contingent with the established local stars.