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Harambee Stars Captain Olunga breaks silence on goal drought, shares an interesting reel after Russia draw.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has broken his silence after failing to find the back of the net in Kenya's recent international friendly against Russia, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
While Olunga has been a prolific goal-scorer for Al Duhail in the Qatar Stars League (QSL), he has faced criticism for not replicating the same form when playing for the national team.
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11:52 - 17.10.2023
FOOTBALL Michael Olunga: Harambee Stars captain’s performance divides opinion among Kenyans
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga was the subject of criticism from a section of Kenyans who feel he has not been impressive for the national team in recent matches
In the clash against Russia, Olunga missed a glaring opportunity to widen Kenya's lead, dragging his shot wide with only Ilya Pomazun, the Russian goalkeeper, to beat.
Despite the miss, Olunga remains a crucial figure for the national team, and there is growing concern about his form in front of goal when donning the national shirt.
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14:04 - 18.10.2023
FOOTBALL EXCLUSIVE: Harambee Stars goalkeeper to undergo surgery after sustaining injury in Russia draw
The 26-year-old, who has established himself as Harambee Stars’ first-choice goalkeeper, limped off in the 14th minute during the side’s 2-2 draw with Russia.
Upon the team's arrival two days after the match, Olunga took to social media to share a reel featuring the song "Watendawili ft Okello Max - Drill Rhumba." This move suggests Olunga's way of coping with the pressure and addressing the recent performance.
After a past match against Qatar, Harambee Stars coach, Engin Firat, acknowledged Olunga's significance to the team.
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08:06 - 17.10.2023
FOOTBALL Eight lessons learnt from Harambee Stars draw against Russia
In their first-ever meeting, Kenya settled for a 2-2 draw against Russia in an international friendly.
"Michael stands out as one of the finest players I have had the privilege of coaching, and I am genuinely thrilled to have him on our team. His role as a leader is crucial for us." Firat expressed satisfaction with Olunga's contributions to the team.
In the Qatar friendly he played a pivotal role in setting up the late winner against the hosts.
14:04 - 18.10.2023
FOOTBALL EXCLUSIVE: Harambee Stars goalkeeper to undergo surgery after sustaining injury in Russia draw
The 26-year-old, who has established himself as Harambee Stars’ first-choice goalkeeper, limped off in the 14th minute during the side’s 2-2 draw with Russia.
Looking ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Firat is eager to have his top striker back in form and has previously expressed his commitment to standing by his captain.
The Turkish tactician values Olunga not just for his goal-scoring abilities but also for his leadership and mentorship within the team.
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06:00 - 18.10.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Stars: Has Firat found his team for 2026 World Cup qualifiers?
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat seems to have settled on a core of players whom seems to trust which points to how he plans to select his team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers
Gor Mahia forward Benson Omala, the leading scorer in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL), was notably overlooked for the national assignment, raising eyebrows among football enthusiasts.
As Kenya prepares for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Gabon in November, all eyes will be on Olunga to rediscover his scoring touch and lead the Harambee Stars to success.
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