Olunga praises Nyayo crowd and stands by Kenya’s best effort
By Steve Ireri, March 24, 2025Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has thanked the thousands of Kenyans who turned up at Nyayo Stadium on Sunday, March 23, 2025, to support them as they faced off against Gabon in their bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
In a statement on his X account on Monday, March 24, 2025, Olunga acknowledged that fans’ expectations had taken a hit once they were unable to mount a comeback against Gabon’s two-goal lead but hailed Harambee Stars for putting up a spirited fight.
According to him, Harambee Stars had displayed resilience and did not go down without a fight, insisting that, to them, the match was a success nonetheless.
“Thank you, KENYANS, for turning out in large numbers to support @Harambee__Stars. Despite the result (2-1), the team fought hard with resilience. I want to extend all my gratitude to everyone who made it a success. Asanteni Sana, 12th man🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️. One Love KENYA,” he shared on X.
The striker, who scored the lone goal that saved Kenya from the humiliation of a 2-0 defeat at the hands of the Aubameyang-led Gabon, was referencing the highly anticipated match that had Kenyans turning out in droves to witness the spectacle at Nyayo Stadium.
Videos shared online captured the electric atmosphere, with fans breaking one of the gates in a frantic attempt to gain access to the stadium. The footage showcased the chaotic moment as they rushed to secure seats in an arena that had been set aside for a luxe and exclusive lineup of only 22,900 fans who had managed to secure tickets before they sold out.
A day before the match officially kicked off, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) announced that all available tickets for the first-ever World Cup qualifier on home soil had been sold out, effectively locking out hundreds of eager fans.
“All tickets for our FIFA World Cup Qualifier against Gabon are officially SOLD OUT! Your unwavering support means everything! Let’s paint Nyayo red, black, and green this Sunday. Come cheer the team and let your voices be heard; your energy could make all the difference.”
Despite this and other chaotic moments—including the dramatic ejection of Mumias East MP Peter Salasya by rowdy goons—fans eventually settled down, and the contest began, with Harambee Stars, clad in red jerseys, scrambling for the crucial qualifier title against the yellow-and-blue-clad Gabonese side.
World Cup Qualifier clash
However, Kenya’s hopes of qualifying for the major cup suffered a setback after Gabon handed them a 2-1 thrashing in a match attended by political heavyweights, including Raila Odinga and President William Ruto.
Gabon’s talisman, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, bagged a brace, while Kenya’s only goal came from star striker Michael Olunga in front of a packed stadium.
The defeat followed Harambee Stars’ spirited 3-3 draw against Gambia in their previous outing. Despite the raucous home support and the presence of President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kenya couldn’t pull off a victory against their West African opponents.
This was the second match under newly appointed head coach Benni McCarthy, and the result dealt a blow to his ambitions of steering Kenya onto the global stage.
Aubameyang broke the deadlock in the 16th minute, slotting past Kenya’s goalkeeper Ian Otieno.
He doubled his tally in the 50th minute from the penalty spot after Eric ‘Marcelo’ Ouma handled the ball inside the box, leaving Libyan referee Ibrahim Mutaz with no choice but to award Gabon the spot kick.
Kenya pulled one back just past the hour mark, with Olunga converting a pinpoint cross from Ouma.
With this result, Gabon now tops Group F, while Kenya—returning to Nyayo Stadium for a competitive fixture for the first time since their World Cup qualifier against Rwanda on September 12, 2023—faces an uphill battle.
Four matches remain in the qualifiers, with Harambee Stars set to take on Gambia and the Seychelles in September.