Benni McCarthy’s return to South Africa didn’t completely deliver the fairy-tale script he wanted. Managing his first matches on home soil since taking the Harambee Stars reins, McCarthy watched his heavily rotated, youthful Kenyan side surrender a first-half lead to draw 1-1 against a stubborn Lesotho side at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria yesterday.
It was a classic game of two halves that left fans with plenty to chew on as Kenya steps up build-up preparation for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.
Odhiambo Lights Up Pretoria Early On
McCarthy went bold with his starting lineup, throwing in a mix of exciting raw youngsters and experienced heads, signaling his intent to audit the fringe players in the squad. Farouk Shikhalo got the nod between the sticks, while Gor Mahia’s towering center-back Frank Odhiambo anchored the backline alongside Sylvester Owino.
The gamble looked like a masterstroke inside the opening twenty minutes. Kenya dominated the early possession, zipping the ball across the greasy Pretoria turf with real intent. In the 17th minute, the pressure paid off. Frank Odhiambo ventured forward and unleashed an absolute rocket of a right-footed shot, burying it into the roof of the net. Lesotho goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane was left clutching at thin air as the Kenyan dugout erupted.
Harambee Stars kept pushing, and Odhiambo almost turned from goalscorer to provider, missing a golden opportunity to double the cushion before the half-time whistle blew.
Second-Half Subs Backfire as Lesotho Strike Back
Whatever the Lesotho technical bench said at the break completely turned the tide. Sensing the shift in momentum, McCarthy made a triple tactical switch right at the restart, pulling out Richard Odada, Zech Obiero, and Clarke Oduor to introduce Austin Odhiambo, William Wilson, and Chrispine Erambo.
Unfortunately, the changes disrupted Kenya’s engine room. Lesotho began finding holes in the midfield channels, piling immense pressure on the Stars’ backline.
The warning signs were flashing, and in the 70th minute, the equalizer finally arrived. Lesotho capitalised on a lapse in defensive concentration when Thabo Makhele reacted quickest to nod home a rebound, leaving Shikhalo stranded and drawing the Southern Africans level.
Despite a frantic final few minutes from the Harambee Stars, the elusive winning goal never came, extending Kenya’s wait for a win over Lesotho that stretches back to 1993.
The Silver Lining for Benni McCarthy
While the draw feels a bit flat, it isn’t all doom and gloom for Kenya. The result keeps the national team’s unbeaten streak alive, stretching back to their dominant win over Grenada in March.
More importantly, McCarthy got exactly what he wanted: a high-intensity look at the next generation of Kenyan talent ahead of the crucial qualifiers against South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea.
Football fans won’t have to wait long for revenge. These two sides lock horns again this Sunday at the exact same venue in Pretoria for the second leg of this international friendly double-header. Expect Benni to tweak his tactical approach to ensure the Stars walk away with nothing less than a victory.
