Jaded Stars in Lesotho stalemate - Capital Sports
Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Features

Jaded Stars in Lesotho stalemate

KAHATA-EAGLESNAIROBI, Kenya, July 8- Harambee Stars came from the brink of an embarrasing defeat to hold tiny Lesotho 2-2 in their opening tie of their maiden COSAFA Castle Cup in Kitwe, Zambia on Monday evening.

The result brought into sharp focus the wisdom or lack thereof of their decision to arrive to Zambia on match day having jetted into the country only hours to kick-off.

Finding themselves 2-0 dowb after 52 minutes, Adel Amrouche’s side fought back in the last seven minutes to level the tie with goals from Gor Mahia star, Paul Kiongera who headed in his teammates’ David Owino cross on 82 minutes.

Jockins Atudo levelled from the spot after Ralekoti Mokhahlane handled in the box with a minute to the final whistle to save Stars from what would have been construed as a stunning defeat of the favourites in a group that has Swaziland and Botswana.

Featuring a side full of Kenyan Premier League (KPL) aces, most of them who were involved in intense domestic matches on Sunday, Kenya found themselves trailing in a match they started without holding even a single training session.

In a bizzare twist of fate, Atudo was deemed to have fouled Litsepe Marabe inside the box and Mokhahlane dispatched the ball past skipper Duncan Ochieng in the Stars goal.

Soon after the restart, Thapelo Tale punished suicidal defending by David Ochieng when he planted the ball past his namesake in goal to establish a 2-0 advantage.

To their credit, Stars went on the offensive to save their skins with the introductions of Kiongera and AFC Leopards winger, Paul Were providing the impetus and it is the former who played a crucial role in Gor’s gritty 1-0 win at
Bandari on Sunday who brought his team back to the contest eight minutes from time.

The comeback was completed when Atudo and Mokhahlane swapped roles to give Amrouche’s side who play Swaziland on Tuesday a life-line.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Should they top the group, Stars who are one of the invited teams to the 2013 COSAFA tourney will face Angola in the quarter-finals.

Advertisement

More on Capital Sports

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a treat of the world’s best football this week as the 2020-21...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, May 25 – There is light at the end of the tunnel. After failed promises over the last three years since its...

Football

NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 6 – Gentrix Shikangwa scored with two minutes left as Vihiga Queens sailed to the final of the CECAFA regional qualifiers...

NFL

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 13 – Kenya’s history making Daniel Adongo, the first Kenyan to play in America’s National Football League (NFL), is now living...

© 2024 Capital Digital Media. Capital Group Limited. All Rights Reserved