Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga’s availability for the upcoming 2025 AFCON qualifiers has been cast into serious doubt, as head coach Engin Firat revealed that the striker is currently sidelined with an injury.
Olunga, who has been a key figure for both his club Al Duhail and the national team, has missed his last two matches at the club level, raising concerns about his fitness ahead of the crucial qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The towering forward is set to undergo an MRI with the national team’s medical staff to assess the extent of his injury, with Firat indicating that the chances of him featuring in the upcoming games are slim.
“Michael Olunga has a low chance, but he will come for an MRI. However, like I said, it’s a low chance. We’ve already lost many players, and we need to find solutions,” Firat said, expressing the gravity of the situation.
The potential absence of Olunga, who has been instrumental in Kenya’s recent campaigns, could be a significant setback for the team as they aim to secure a spot in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
His leadership and goal-scoring prowess have been central to Harambee Stars’ strategy, and losing him at this critical juncture would undoubtedly be a blow.
In addition to Olunga, the national team will also be without defender Collins Sichenje, who has been ruled out of both qualifiers after sustaining an injury during a match with his Serbian club, FK Vojvodina.
Although Sichenje’s absence might not be as impactful due to his limited appearances for the national side, it further compounds the challenges faced by Firat in assembling a competitive squad.
Firat also revealed the challenges he’s encountered in trying to strengthen the team by bringing in players of Kenyan descent from abroad. He mentioned that passport issues have hindered the call-up of new players from countries like England, Australia, and Ireland.
“I wanted to invite two new players to the national team this September, but with Kenya, it’s not so simple with the passport issue, and I have no clue how it works,” Firat noted, underscoring the bureaucratic hurdles.
While Firat did not name the players, reports suggest that one of the targeted recruits is Wilson Waweru, an Ireland-based forward who has been in impressive form.
Despite the setbacks, the coach remains focused on finding solutions as Kenya prepares to face Zimbabwe in Uganda and Namibia in South Africa in the coming days.
The looming uncertainty surrounding Olunga’s participation leaves Harambee Stars in a precarious position, with the team needing to adapt quickly if they are to maintain their AFCON qualifying hopes.
