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Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga maintained his hot scoring streak by bagging a brace on Friday which should delight coach Engin Firat heading into the Four Nations tournament.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga should have delighted his national team coach when he bagged a brace as his side Al Duhail recorded a first win in all competitions since December.
Al Duhail beat Al Shamal 3-1 in a Qatar Stars League match on Friday, in what was their first win in 12 matches, having last triumphed on December 23, when they beat Iranian side Persepolis in the Asian Champions League group stages.
That was just before Olunga suffered a knee injury that kept him out for two months, a period when Al Duhail had it rough and since his return, he has bagged four goals in five matches.
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13:00 - 13.03.2024
FOOTBALL Jonah Ayunga returns as Engin Firat names Harambee Stars squad for Malawi Four Nations Tournament
Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat has announce squad for four-nations tournament, blending local and international talent for upcoming fixtures in Malawi.
On Friday, Omid Ibrahimi gave Al Duhail the lead just past the hour mark but Al Shamal drew level eight minutes later through Souhaib Gnanan with a shot from inside the penalty area.
That gave way to the Olunga show, the Kenyan captain scoring Al Duhail’s second goal from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute, before adding gloss on the score sheet in the dying minutes of the encounter.
Olunga took advantage of the pass that reached him from Ismail to put the ball calmly into the net in the 89th minute to seal his brace and the victory for Christophe Galtier’s men.
The Kenyan international was getting on the scoresheet for a second straight game, having scored his side’s only goal as they lost 2-1 to Al Wakrah last week.
While the win still leaves Al Duhail 18 points behind leaders Al Sadd and with no chance of retaining their league title, it is a positive for Olunga who has now scored 12 league goals this season, six behind top scorer Yacine Brahimi of Al Gharafa.
Olunga’s sharpness should delight Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat ahead of the Four Nations tournament that will take place in Malawi between March 18 and 26.
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12:30 - 11.03.2024
STARS ABROAD Michael Olunga maintains scoring streak but Al Duhail’s freefall continues
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga was on target again for his side Al Duhail but that did prevent the Qatar Stars League champions from suffering yet another defeat.
The former Gor Mahia striker is one of Firat’s undroppables and the tactician will be hoping that he maintains that form even in the national team.
Olunga’s performances in national team colours have been criticised by fans in recent Harambee Stars matches, having fluffed his lines for a considerable amount of time before ending his six-game goal drought with a brace as Kenya beat Seychelles 5-0 in a 2026 World Cup qualifier last November.
Kenya will begin their Four Nations campaign against hosts Malawi on March 23.
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