Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat
Harambee
Stars skipper Michael Olunga expects the team to replicate their impressive
results in friendly matches when they get their 2026 World Cup qualifying
campaign underway against Gabon on Thursday.
Kenya registered an impressive 2-1 win over 2022 World
Cup hosts Qatar lost 1-0 against South Sudan before capping their preparations
with a 2-2 draw against World Cup quarter-finalists Russia.
Olunga says everything is in place for Stars to have a
successful campaign.
“We have
prepared well ahead of the qualifiers, and I feel we are better placed to have
a successful campaign.
“The boys
are in good shape and the friendly matches that we have played previously will
give us confidence that we can conquer all before us.”
The Al Duhail SC marksman has highlighted Gabon as their
toughest opponent on the ground but backed his teammates to hold their own
against their Central African opponents.
“We expect
all manner of challenges because Central African opponents are normally, and
their fans turn out in large numbers.
“We will
embrace the challenge because we understand that if we are to play at the
highest level like the World Cup we must get used to playing in fully packed
stadia.”
Olunga has cautioned his teammates against any form of
complacency if they are to secure historic qualification to the quadrennial
jamboree slated for the United States, Mexica and Canada in June 2026.
“We need to stay grounded to enhance our chances of doing
well. We know our group is a blend of all sorts of teams based on their FIFA rankings
but we need to be as practical as possible to avoid upsets.”
Kenya will face Gabon in Franksville on Thursday before
completing their double-header against Seychelles in Abidjan, Ivory Coast on
Monday.