By Administrator,

The stage is set for the do or die  second round first leg match of the Orange CAF Africa cup of Nations 2015 qualifers  pitting hosts Lesotho  who will Battle out against visiting Kenya in what is expected to be a cracker on Sunday at the Maseru Setsoto Stadium with the South Africa’s facing the tricky East African Nation.

Lesotho confounded many people’s expectations overturning a 1-0 deficit to defeat Liberia 2-0 at home therefore qualfying for the second round via a 2-1 aggregate  with a squad of which very little was expected. Whereas their reliance on a large number of Lesotho-based players was thought to be a weakness, the impact of many of the lesser names has been a real strength in their run to the second round of matches under coach Seephephe Matete .

On the other Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche who is facing a two match ban for violent conduct in Comoros has been boosted by the early arrival to camp by Southampton midfilder Victor Wanyama alongside his brother former Inter Milan player Macdonald Mariga .

Harambee Stars qualified for the second round scrapping through with a 2-1 aggregate beating a sturbborn Comoros who proved a hard nut to crack in a battle that could have gone either way.Both teams will be hoping to get an early advantage when they lock horns despite the Lesotho Likuena boys proving to be a tough opponent while at home as they battle to join Group C with the likes of Burkina Faso,Angola and Gabon.

Kenya will be going into  the match with a slightly better record   in their previous matches,having  played  seven games, winning six, and drawing one, unlike Lesotho’s last seven games, winning two, drawing in one and losing four games.

In the latest FIFA ranking, Kenya is ranked  108^th  while Lesotho is at 139 th with their head to head statistics proving that it will be a battle of the titans as the  two sides have met four times, with Kenya winning one game and drawing three.

In their buildup to the important game on Sunday  Lesotho suffered 2-0 at the hands of neighbouring Botswana in an International friendly on Monday 14^th July in Gaborone while Kenya playing at home drew 0-0 against Burundi in another friendly match played one day later in Nairobi.

 Kenya have qualified for the prestigious Afcon  five times in 1974, 1988, 1990, 1992 and in 2004, unlike The Crocodiles  who have have never qualified for Africa Cup of Nations before.

Lesotho Coach, Seephephe Matete is expected to use Liteboho Mokhehle, Mabuti Potloane ,Nkau Lerothoi, Ralekoti Mokhahlane, Mahau Tale and George Raamabale to deem with the light of the Stars and sail through to African Cup of Nation group stage qualifier while his counterpart Amrouche will be spoiled for choice with an array of foreigh based  stars that include Belgium based Ayub Timbe and Johanna Omollo,Victor Wanyama,Sudan based Allan Wanga,Albania based Francis Kahata but the absence of first choice keeper Arnold Origi will be a big blow to his ambitions

Lesotho Squad: GOALKEEPER:Kananelo Makhooane – Likhopo ,Mohau Koenane – DEFENDERS:Malefane Seperiti – Likhopo,Thabo Masualle – Bantu,Nkau Lerotholi – Matlama,Basia Makepe – Lioli,Moitheri Ntobo – LCS Bokang Mothoana – Likhopo

MIDFIELDERS:Mabuti Potloane – Linare,Tsóanelo Koetle – Lioli,Lekhanya Lekhanya – Lioli
Motlalepula Mofolo – Lioli,Makara Ntaitsane – Likhopo,Tsépo Seturumane – Lioli,Bushy Moletsane – Lioli,Phafa Tsósane – Matlama

STRIKERS:Thapelo Tale – Likhopo,Tsepo Lekhooana – Lioli,Tsótleho Jane – USA(Development teams)

Harambee Stars;

Officials: James Nandwa, Ken Odhoambo, Armars Niyongabo, Vincent Muoki, Benson Otieno, Bruce Juma, Abdull Issa Salim, Jacob Mulee.

Team: Goalkeepers: Wilson Oburu, Jerim Onyango, Wycliff Kasaya,
Defenders: James Situma,David Owino, Jockins Atudo, David Ochieng “Cheche”Aboud Omar, Vincent Omumbo.

Midfielders: Peter Opiyo, MacDonald Mariga, Victor Mugubi, Francis Kahata, David Gateri, Harrison Mwendwa, , Jamal Mohamed, Clifton Miheso, Stephen Ocholla, Brian Osumba

Strikers: Jacob Kelli and Allan Wanga.