Olunga confident as Harambee Stars eye AFCON Q points against Zimbabwe, Namibia

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is confident as the team prepares to face Zimbabwe and Namibia in the 2025 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers.

The games, which will see Kenya host The Warriors at Uganda’s Nelson Mandela Stadium before an away fixture against Namibia, have been scheduled for the September international break.

Olunga says he is ready for the leadership roles bestowed on him as Kenya begin their quest to qualify for the continental showpiece, which could be their first since 2019.

“When you are a leader, you have to take responsibility, and at the end of the day, it’s my responsibility to try and lead this team to greater heights,” Olunga said, as quoted by a local publication.

Unity and team spirit are the key ingredients in the team that make Olunga have confidence in his teammates.

“There is a lot of unity in the team, and everybody is backing up each and every player. People look at when things are really backing up, but you need to understand that it’s a phase and process,” the former Gor Mahia and Thika United striker added.

Being a leader and with so much responsibility, the Al Duhail striker acknowledges the presence of pressure.

“I can’t say that I don’t have any pressure whatsoever because I know my teammates and coach are backing me up; that’s the most important thing for me.

“And when you have your group and it is backing you up, then you can achieve your objectives collectively,” he continued.

Olunga was named in the squad revealed by head coach Engin Firat recently, and during the qualifiers, he is expected to lead the goal-hunting mission as he has done in the previous games, both competitive and friendlies.

“I’m so happy and proud to lead this group quite so well, and they all deserve to be in the team. We hope we can continue with this great thing we are building as a team,” he concluded.

Harambee Stars squad:

Goalkeepers: Ian Otieno (Richards Bay FC), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police), Byrne Omondi (Bandari)

Defenders: Collins Sichenje (Vodvojina), Joseph Okumu (Reims-France), Johnstone Omurwa, Amos Nondi (Ararat), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Eric Ouma (Rakow-Poland), Sylvester Owino (Gor Mahia), Alphonce Omija (Gor Mahia)

Midfielders: Kayci Odhiambo (AFC Leopards), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Richard Odada (Dundee United), Anthony Akumu (Kheybar), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Eric Johanna  (UTA-Romania), Ronney Onyango (Gor Mahia), Austine Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Patrick Otieno (KCB), Duke Abuya (Young Africans), Timothy Ouma (Elfsberg)

Forwards: John Avire (P. Suez), Michael Olunga (Duhail-Oman), Jonah Ayunga (ST. Mirren-Scotland), Benson Omalla (Safa SC), Victor Omune (AFC Leopards)