Harambee Stars midfielder Richard Odada is hopeful that Michael Olunga’s recovery will hep Kenya in their pivotal doubleheader against Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers this October.
The two-legged encounter is expected to play a crucial role in determining which team will advance from Group J and secure a spot in the prestigious tournament, set to be held in Morocco next year.
Kenya’s qualification campaign gained momentum early this week with a vital 2-1 victory over Namibia, courtesy of a stunning free-kick from John Avire and a clinical finish from Duke Abuya.
The win, achieved at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, marked a significant boost for the Harambee Stars, who had opened their campaign with a goalless draw against Zimbabwe at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda.
With the three points from the Namibia clash, Kenya now sit atop Group J, level on four points with Cameroon, but ahead on goal difference.
Both teams will face each other in a highly anticipated doubleheader next month, which could determine their fate in the race for AFCON 2025 qualification. The top two teams from the group will secure their places at the tournament.
Odada expressed his satisfaction with the team’s progress so far, emphasising their determination to reach the AFCON stage.
“I feel good because we should have won the first match but did not. Kenyans expect more, so we also demand more from ourselves because this is our job,” Odada told OdiBets TV.
“We keep going because it is our dream to qualify for the AFCON and we will work to get there.”
Kenya’s recent success has been achieved without their talismanic captain Olunga, who had been sidelined with an injury since August. The Al Duhail forward missed both the Zimbabwe and Namibia encounters, but his absence has been keenly felt, especially in the first match where Kenya struggled to find the back of the net.
When asked about the impact of Olunga’s absence, Odada was quick to acknowledge the forward’s importance to the team.
“Yes, we missed him. He is one of the most important players in our team, and his absence was felt, especially in the first game,” said Odada.
“We hope he will be fit enough for the next game. If he was there against Namibia, I am sure he would have scored like two or three goals for sure, and he would have gotten something in the first game as well.”
Olunga’s club Al Duhail confirmed on Friday that he has recovered from the injury and his return will provide a significant boost to Kenya’s attacking options as they prepare for the decisive October matches. With both teams tied on points, the outcome of the doubleheader could prove decisive in determining who will advance to AFCON 2025.
