Michael Olunga, the captain of the Kenyan national team, remains optimistic that the Harambee Stars can still secure a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite their current standings in Group F of the African qualifiers.
After competing in four matches, Kenya finds itself in fourth place out of six teams, having accumulated five points—five points behind the group leaders, Ivory Coast, who have ten points. Gabon sits in second place with nine points, while Burundi holds the third spot with seven points.
Kenya’s qualifying campaign began with a disappointing 2-1 loss to Gabon at Stade de Franceville on November 16, 2023. However, they bounced back impressively, defeating Seychelles 5-0. In the third matchday, they secured a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Burundi, before earning a goalless draw against the African champions, Ivory Coast.
Flashscore
Kenya’s Pathway to Qualification Remains Open
Olunga, now with Al Duhail SC in the Qatar Stars League, believes there’s still hope for Kenya to make history by qualifying for their first World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Canada, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 2026.
He also mentioned that the appointment of Benni McCarthy as head coach and the robust management efforts led by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed could significantly improve the team’s chances in the qualifiers.
“Our next challenge is against Gambia away; they’re a rising team in Africa and have a strong squad, making it a fantastic opportunity for us to show our capabilities,” said Olunga.
He added, “All the players have reported to camp, and the atmosphere is electric. Everyone is eagerly anticipating our opening matches against Gabon and Gambia.”
“We appreciate the federation, particularly President Hussein Mohammed and Vice-President Macdonald Mariga, for cultivating a positive environment for the players to train and perform.”
When discussing the match against Gambia, managed by former Gor Mahia coach Jonathan McKinstry, Olunga stated, “First things first, we need to focus on the Gambia match, but our aim is to give our utmost performance.”
“This represents a fresh start with a new federation and coach, and while the dynamics might be different, we need to be patient, adapt to the coach’s philosophy, and embrace the new style of play. It’s a great challenge, and we look forward to seeing what this young Kenyan team can achieve, hopefully leading to positive results.”
Harambee Stars Anticipate Action at Nyayo Stadium
Olunga took a moment to commend the Kenyan government for securing the use of the 30,000-seat Nyayo Stadium for their matchday six encounter against Gabon on March 23.
After renovations at both Nyayo and Kasarani stadiums, Harambee Stars had been barred from their home grounds since their last local fixture—a friendly loss to South Sudan on September 12, 2023. Since then, Kenya has played 21 matches across various competitions without a home advantage, opting to use Bingu Stadium in Malawi and Nelson Mandela Stadium in Uganda for their matches against Ivory Coast and Burundi, respectively.
“Thank you to the Kenyan government for allowing us to finally play at home. This match will be our first at home in nearly two years, and we are genuinely excited about it,” Olunga remarked.
“I call on the fans to come out in large numbers against Gabon and provide the much-needed support that has been lacking. Kenyans have a great passion for football, and we can’t wait to see them on Sunday.”
He further noted, “As we prepare to take a chartered flight to Ivory Coast, the players’ welfare is being prioritised. We remain optimistic that with hard work and the right preparation, we can achieve good results in our upcoming matches.”
Olunga, who has netted 11 goals for Duhail in 15 league matches, commended McCarthy for promoting local talent and integrating them into the national setup while naming his preliminary squad for the qualifiers.
He also encouraged players not selected for the final squad to stay positive and keep working hard, emphasising that there remains an opportunity for all players to be considered for the national team.
“It’s encouraging to witness young players making it into the final squad. We have a promising group of young talents emerging, especially from the local league, and early integration into the senior team is crucial for their development,” explained Olunga, who began his journey with the Liberty Sports Academy in the Nairobi County League.
“Additionally, with Kenya hosting CHAN this year, it is imperative that every player is tested at the national level, as the dynamics of club and national teams can differ significantly.”
Olunga, who first represented Kenya in a friendly against Seychelles on March 28, 2015, finished with, “It’s promising to see how inclusive the squad selection is, accommodating even those who didn’t make the final cut. The door remains open for everyone.”
“Players should not lose hope but continue putting in the effort at their clubs, as they may receive a call-up for future assignments.”
The upcoming match between Gambia’s Scorpions and Harambee Stars is set for Thursday, March 20, at Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium.
Flashscore
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
Fanpage: SportArena.com.au.
LiveScore – Live Sports Results & Odds.
