By Belindah Maska,
Having lost the first leg 0-1 in Maseru, Harambee Stars needed to score two goals and keep a clean sheet to advance to the group stages but the dangerous and tactically disciplined Crocodiles held their nerves despite a late barrage of attacks from the home side to extinguish Stars dreams.
The outcome means that Stars will be out in the football cold for another two years before making another stab at the ever elusive show piece.
For the thousands of fans, it was a painful evening having braved the chilly evening weather to cheer their team to no avail.
This was a big game for Stars, a big occasion for that matter but they did not press hard enough to get the much needed victory that would have taken them to the group stage.
Parading a galaxy of stars including lead striker Dennis Oliech,Victor Wanyama,MacDonald Mariga,Lawrence Olum and Francis Kahata ,the home side begun strongly with several chances coming their way in the first 25 minutes but they could not find the target.
They lacked a sense of urgency and the cutting edge in the final third. Skipper Victor Wanyama then made an effort with a header off a Francis Kahata free kick in the 12th minute but it flew narrowly above the target on the far right end of the post.
The visitors who looked comfortable on the ball then signaled their intent in the 16th minute with Bushy Moletsane-scorer of the all-important goal in Maseru making a run in the Kenyan 18-yard box area but Stars’ right back David “Calabar” cleared the ball for an unsuccessful corner kick.
Dennis Oliech playing as the lead striker having unexpectedly joined camp late on Saturday fluffed his chances time and again and club less Edwin Lavatsa picked to start on the far right also failed to make the most of a chance after being picked out in the box with a low cross from Oliech in the 18th minute.
Lesotho will have their goalie Mohau Kuenane to thank for having stood tall in both halves to deny the hosts.
Shortly after the interval, Stars’ technical bench brought in the speedy Paul Were for the ineffective Edwin Lavatsa and the live wire lived to his reputation with his first touch of the ball dashing down the left flank to release an inviting cross which the forwards failed to connect.
Chances continued to come thick and fast for the hosts in the last quarter with David “Calabar” Owino’s header being cleared off the line by Lekhanya Koethe while a late thunderous effort by Peter Opiyo was ably dealt with by Kuenane.
“We are sorry to the fans, very sorry. We ask for their forgiveness. We didn’t have luck in this match .It will be a two-year wait .I once again say sorry,” striker Dennis Oliech said after the match.
Oliech’s remorse summed up the mood among the players and the fans alike after the blow of the final whistle.US based defender Lawrence Olum dashed to the dress room alongside David Ochieng while the rest stood dejected on the pitch.
Line –Up
Harambee Stars
WilsonOburu, David Owino,Aboud Omar,David Ochieng,LawrenceOlum,Victor Wanyama,Peter Opiyo,Edwin Lavatasa(Paul Were)MacDonald Mariga(AllanWanga)Dennis Oliech,Francis Kahata.
Lesotho
Mohau Kuenane,Moitheri Ntuso,Tsoamel,Koethe,Jeremia Kamele,Mkali Lenotholi,Mothalepula Mofulo,Ratekti Mokhalu,Tsepo Seturumane, Tsepo Lekhange, Lekhange Marude,Bushy Moletsane.
