The Harambee Stars have returned to camp following adjustments to their June international window, which were necessitated by earlier logistical challenges that affected the original fixture plan.
Kenya had initially been set to play Palestine and Kyrgyzstan during the FIFA international break, but those matches have since been replaced by a two-legged friendly against Lesotho.
Both fixtures will be staged at Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa, as the team continues its preparations for upcoming assignments. The first match is scheduled for Thursday, June 4, 2026 at 4:00 pm East Africa Time, while the second will be played on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at the same time.
There have also been changes to the travelling squad. Job Ochieng, Ryan Ogam and Byrne Omondi have been omitted, while Amos Nondi, Kelly Madada and Brian Bwire have been drafted in to strengthen the team.
The players reported back to camp on Monday, 1 June, and have already resumed training as preparations intensify for the double-header.
The June window is expected to give the technical bench another opportunity to assess the squad as they build towards upcoming continental competitions.
Both Kenya and Lesotho will use the friendlies as part of their build-up to the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations Pamoja 2027 qualifiers.
Kenya have been drawn in Group D of the qualification campaign alongside the South Africa national football team, Guinea national football team and the Eritrea national football team. The group is expected to be highly competitive as teams across Africa begin their road to the continental tournament.
Although Kenya, as co-hosts of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations alongside Uganda and Tanzania, have already qualified automatically for the finals, they will still participate in the qualification matches within their group.
A total of 48 countries will compete in the qualifiers, with 24 expected to reach the final tournament.
Lesotho, meanwhile, have been placed in Group A alongside Morocco, Gabon and Niger, giving them an early test against strong opposition ahead of the campaign.
For Lesotho head coach Leslie Mafoso, the fixtures will offer a useful opportunity to assess his squad against top-tier opposition, including World Cup-bound Morocco.
For Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, the matches will also carry added interest as he prepares to face his home country for the first time since taking charge of Kenya.
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