Kenya to face Lesotho in two-leg friendly series in Pretoria ahead of AFCON qualifiers

Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, will take on Lesotho in a two-legged international friendly series scheduled for June 4 and June 7 in Pretoria, South Africa, as part of their build-up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The fixtures are expected to play a key role in sharpening Kenya’s squad ahead of the continental campaign, with the team also preparing as one of the co-hosts of the 2027 AFCON tournament in East Africa.

The upcoming matches also represent a change of plan for the Harambee Stars, who were initially scheduled to travel to Central Asia for friendlies against Kyrgyzstan and Palestine.

The revised arrangement keeps the team on the African continent, offering a more familiar competitive environment against Southern African opposition.

Football analysts say the double-header against Lesotho will provide an important tactical test for Kenya’s technical bench, allowing them to assess squad depth, fitness levels, and combinations under match conditions.

Lesotho, known as the Likuena, have steadily improved in recent years and are expected to offer disciplined resistance across both fixtures.

The encounters in Pretoria are also seen as an opportunity for the side to gain valuable international experience against a regional opponent with similar playing styles and physical intensity.

For Kenya, the matches are part of a broader long-term strategy aimed at building a competitive squad capable of performing strongly both in AFCON qualification and on home soil in 2027.

The two fixtures are expected to attract attention from fans across East and Southern Africa, as both teams continue their preparations for upcoming competitive assignments.