Michael Olunga could miss Harambee Stars’ next two matches against Zimbabwe and Namibia in September after his club provided a worrying update over his situation.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is facing a potential setback ahead of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers due to foot injury.
The 30-year-old striker, who plays for Al Duhail in the Qatar Stars League, sustained the injury on August 10 during his team’s 6-1 victory over Qatar SC.
Following the injury, Olunga missed Al Duhail’s subsequent match against Umm Salal, a game which the club won.
An update from the club highlighted the uncertainty surrounding Olunga’s return.
“Kenyan striker Michael Olunga will miss today’s match against Umm Salal in the third week of the Ooredoo Stars League due to an injury he sustained in the first match against Qatar SC. The duration of his absence will depend on the pace of his recovery,” the club stated.
The lack of clarity on his recovery timeline is a significant concern for the Harambee Stars as they prepare for their opening match against Zimbabwe.
The timing is particularly unfortunate as Harambee Stars are slated to host Zimbabwe on September 4 at Nelson Mandela Stadium in Nambolee.
This match is critical for Kenya, which is looking to make a strong showing in Group J which also includes powerhouses Cameroon and Namibia.
The absence of a player of Olunga’s caliber could not come at a worse time for head coach Engin Firat.
Kenya’s football infrastructure has faced its own challenges, further complicating preparations for the qualifiers.
No stadium in Kenya currently meets the Confederation of African Football (CAF) standards to host such high-profile matches.
This issue forced the team to relocate their home games to Nambole in Uganda.
Earlier this year, Kenyan fans missed the opportunity to watch the Harambee Stars play against African champions Ivory Coast and Burundi in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to similar infrastructural shortcomings.
The situation is a painful reminder of the setbacks faced by the Harambee Stars, who missed out on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations due to a FIFA ban in 2022.
The ban imposed due to third-party interference in football management in Kenya has had lingering effects on the national team’s development and performance.
