Tšepo Seturumane’s headed goal on the 60th minute helped Lesotho beat Kenya 1-0 in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations first leg second round match played at Setsoto stadium in Maseru on Sunday.
Seturumane found the back of the net from a good cross played by midfielder, Bushy Moletsane for the opening goal of a highly contested match.
The East African country missing their top marksman Dennis Oliech started the better of the two teams, but squandered a number of goal scoring chances in the first half.
Their attempts to get a goal nearly paid on the 25th minute, but an effort from striker, Nyambura Kahata was cleared off the line by Lesotho defender, Jeremiah Kamele.
Kahata was taken off late in the second half making way for Jahal Mahamed.
Both teams were very defensive in the first half which led to an early change by the home team, who took off defender,Thabo Masualle for attacking midfielder, Mabuti Potloane towards the end of the first half.
The match went to the half time break at goalless.
In the second half, Lesotho were able to raise their tempo and created a number of goal scoring chances.
Southampton‘s Victor Wanyama leading the Harambee Stars gave a solid performance playing in the holding midfield position, but could not help his team avoid a defeat to Lesotho.
Kenya did not lose hope after conceding and kept searching for a goal.
Their efforts nearly paid towards the end with a Macdonald Mariga’s header cleared off the line in the dying minutes of the match.
Mariga who started on the bench came on for Gateri David on the 70th minute.
The two teams will meet again in the second leg match scheduled for Nairobi in two week’s time.
Likuena coach, Seephephe Matete, praised his troops for getting a late goal to win the home tie.
“It was a tough match, Kenya did not want to concede, but managed to get a goal late in the second half,” Matete said.
“We gave our best and confident the win will help us reach the group stages,” he said.
Confederation of African Football (CAF) News
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