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TWO goals in the last seven minutes helped Kenya salvage a point in a 2-2 draw against Lesotho in their opening Cosafa Cup clash yesterday.
Having found themselves 2-0 down after 52 minutes, Stars produced a sterling second half performance pinning their opponents in their own half and were rewarded with two late strikes as they made their debut in the Southern Africa regional tourney.
Kenya had arrived in Zambia earlier yesterday and went into the match without having held a single training session. Despite the jetlag, they started well forcing a couple of corners in the opening minutes.

Ralekoti Mokhahlane had Lesotho’s first chance but was unable to beat Duncan Ochieng who made a smart save on 21 minutes.
Lesotho went ahead just before halftime when Joackins Atudo was adjudged to have fouled Litsepe Marabe with the referee awarding a penalty. Ralekoti stepped up and coolly beat Ochieng for 1-0 lead.

Stars found themselves 2-0 down seven minutes after the restart after a horrible error by David Ochieng. The centre back made hash of a routine clearance and Thapelo Tale punished him with an assured finish past Ochineg.

Coach Adel Amrouche had already introduced Mungai Kiongera and he then brought on Leopards winger Paul and his arrival provided fresh impetus for Stars.

They crawled a goal back on 82 minutes when Kiongera headed in a David Owino cross.
Stars were the dominant side bossing possession and they equalised on the stroke of fulltime after Ralekoti handled the ball in the box and Atudo dispatched the resultant penalty.

They had a chance to win it in added time but Lesotho goalkeeper Thabo Masualle made a brilliant save to deny Kiongera.
Kenya next play Swaziland today.

Meanwhile, Platinum Stars captain Vuyo Mere has withdrawn from the Bafana Bafana squad to play in the Cosafa Cup in Zambia.
Bafana play their first game of the tournament on Saturday.

The latest change to the Bafana squad means the original squad of 20 players has had 14 names withdrawn.
“His name was included during the initial stages of the discussions with Platinum Stars,” the SA Football Association said in a statement yesterday.

“But seeing that the club had already given Bafana Bafana four players it was felt the player should not be part of the travelling party so as not cripple their [Platinum Stars’] preparations.

“Safa regrets the inconvenience caused to the club and the player.”
Gladwin Shitolo of Jomo Cosmos would replace Mere.
The squad assembles tomorrow.

Defender Bevan Fransman will not be available for the first match on Saturday, due to club commitments.
Fransman is expected to line-up for Supersport United against English Premier league side Manchester City in a pre-season clash at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium on Sunday. He will fly out to Zambia later to join the squad.

Elsewhere, Noah Chivuta has been released by Free State Stars after a decision not to renew the contract of the Zambian international midfielder.
The 29-year-old, who was a member of Zambia’s winning squad at the 2012 African Nations Cup finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon, had been at Stars for the last three seasons but is not to be offered a new deal, general manager Rantsi Mokoena said yesterday.

He follows compatriot Kennedy Mweene out of the club after the goalkeeper was signed by Mamelodi Sundowns, along with Togo international Dove Wome.

Chivuta was unable to command a regular first team place in Steve Komphela’s team but was used frequently as a substitute. He was also a set piece specialist.

Chivuta first came to South Africa in 2001 when he spent a single season at Hellenic.
He returned in 2006 after signing for Wits University but after one season only went to SuperSport United, where he won a league championship in 2009.

Chivuta then spent one season at Maritzburg United before joining Stars in 2010.
In recent weeks, the Bethlehem-based side have also released Jessie Jackson, Tsietsi Mkwanazi, Fikru Tefera and Moeketsi Mvalo at the end of their respective contracts.

In England,  British police say former Newcastle striker Nile Ranger has been charged with rape.
The 22-year-old Englishman, who has been a free agent since leaving Newcastle in March, will appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on 21 August.
Northumbria Police launched an investigation after Nile was accused of rape in the early hours of January 23 at a hotel in the Newcastle area.-Supersport.