The Harambee Stars’ quest for a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) has hit a major snag, as captain Michael Olunga’s availability for the upcoming qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia is now uncertain due to an injury. Olunga, who has been a cornerstone of both his club Al Duhail and the Kenyan national team, has missed his last two matches at the club level, sparking fears about his readiness for these critical fixtures.
Head coach Engin Firat has revealed that Olunga is currently nursing an injury, and his chances of featuring in the qualifiers are slim. The towering striker is scheduled to undergo an MRI scan with the national team’s medical staff to determine the severity of his injury, but early indications suggest that his participation is in serious jeopardy.
“Michael Olunga has a low probability of playing, but we will conduct an MRI to get a clear picture,” Firat explained. “The odds are not in our favor, and with several key players already sidelined, we must find alternatives quickly.”
Olunga’s absence would be a significant blow to Kenya’s hopes of securing a place in the 2025 AFCON. His leadership on the field, combined with his goal-scoring prowess, has been instrumental in the national team’s recent campaigns. Losing such a crucial player at this pivotal stage could severely impact the Harambee Stars’ chances of progressing in the qualifiers.
Adding to Firat’s headaches, defender Collins Sichenje has also been ruled out of both qualifiers due to an injury sustained while playing for his Serbian club, FK Vojvodina. Although Sichenje has not been a regular starter for the national team, his absence further limits Firat’s options as he tries to assemble a competitive squad.
The Kenyan coach also highlighted the challenges he’s facing in trying to bolster the team with talent from the diaspora. Firat has been keen to bring in players of Kenyan descent from countries like England, Australia, and Ireland to strengthen the squad. However, he pointed out that passport issues have complicated the process, making it difficult to integrate these players into the team.
“I wanted to invite two new players to the national team this September, but dealing with the passport situation in Kenya is not straightforward,” Firat noted. “It’s a bureaucratic maze, and I’m still trying to understand how it all works.”
Although Firat did not name the players in question, there are reports that one of the potential recruits is Wilson Waweru, an Ireland-based forward who has been in impressive form recently. Waweru’s addition could have provided a much-needed boost to the Harambee Stars’ attacking options, especially in light of Olunga’s uncertain status.
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Despite these challenges, Firat remains determined to find solutions. With the qualifiers against Zimbabwe set to take place in Uganda and the match against Namibia scheduled for South Africa, the coach knows that quick adaptation is essential if Kenya is to keep its AFCON qualification hopes alive.
The uncertainty surrounding Olunga’s availability places a significant burden on the rest of the squad. Other players will need to step up and fill the void left by the captain if the Harambee Stars are to remain competitive in these crucial matches. Firat is likely to look towards younger players and those on the fringes of the squad to make an impact, as Kenya faces the daunting task of navigating these qualifiers without their star forward.
The situation also underscores the broader challenges facing the Kenyan national team, particularly in terms of player availability and depth. Firat’s efforts to strengthen the squad through the inclusion of foreign-based players have been hampered by administrative hurdles, further complicating the task of building a cohesive and competitive team.
As the Harambee Stars prepare for their upcoming matches, the focus will be on overcoming these obstacles and ensuring that they can still perform at a high level despite the setbacks. The next few days will be crucial in determining whether Olunga can recover in time to play a role in Kenya’s AFCON journey, but for now, the team must brace for the possibility of proceeding without their talisman.
