Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has confirmed that captain Michael Olunga will not participate in the team's upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea. This decision was made as a precautionary measure to prioritize Olunga's full recovery from a recent injury. Olunga, who plays for Al Duhail, had been out of action for some time before returning on August 21.
Olunga's return to action was marked by several appearances as a substitute, and he earned his first start since the injury on Monday. However, after feeling stiffness in his legs and undergoing a scan, it was discovered that he had a minor strain. McCarthy emphasized that the decision to exclude Olunga from the Eritrea match was made with his long-term fitness in mind, particularly with important matches against South Africa and in the AFCON next year.
In Olunga's absence, coach McCarthy will rely on Ryan Ogam to fill the void. The other option, Jonah Ayunga, is currently sidelined with a long-term injury, leaving Ogam as the sole alternative. McCarthy stressed the importance of not risking Olunga's fitness, given the team's reliance on him and the potential consequences of aggravating the injury.
The Harambee Stars, who have already qualified for the AFCON, will face Eritrea before traveling to Conakry for their match against Guinea on October 1 in the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. McCarthy's team will need to make adjustments to their lineup in light of Olunga's absence, and Ogam's performance will be crucial in the upcoming matches.
Coach McCarthy's decision to prioritize Olunga's fitness has been made with the player's long-term career in mind. The South African coach emphasized that he and Olunga had discussed the situation and agreed that it was best for him to continue his rehabilitation. This approach aims to ensure Olunga's full recovery and availability for future important matches.
The Harambee Stars' match against Eritrea is part of their preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers. Despite already being qualified, the team will look to maintain their momentum and make a strong impression in the upcoming matches. The absence of Olunga will undoubtedly be felt, but the team will need to adapt and find ways to compensate for his loss.
The Kenyan national team, led by coach McCarthy, will look to bounce back from recent challenges and focus on their upcoming matches. With Olunga's fitness being prioritized, the team will rely on other players to step up and make an impact in the qualifiers.
Key points
- Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has been ruled out of the team's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea due to fitness precautions.
