Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga set for major test in Europe

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga set for major test in Europe

Joel Omotto 18:25 - 13.07.2024

The Kenyan international is scheduled for a grueling two weeks in Austria with his club Al Duhail.

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga will be involved in five pre-season matches during Al Duhail’s tour of Austria.

The Qatari side landed in Austria on Friday to begin their pre-season and have lined up matches against local sides as well as teams from Asia.

Al Duhail will begin their preparations with a match against FK Csikszereda Miercurea Ciuc from Romania on Monday July 15 before facing local side SK Sturm Graz II four days later.

SK Sturm Graz II are the second-string side for Austria top division club SK Sturm Graz.

Olunga and his Al Duhail team-mates will then take on some familiar opponents after which a meeting against Kalba Football Club, more colloquially abbreviated as Al-Ittihad, from the United Arab Emirates will follow on July 24.

Four days later, Al Duhail will play against Al-Khaleej Club of Saudi Arabia before concluding their pre-season with a clash with another Saudi side Damac Football Club on July 31.

Al Duhail will camp in Austria until August 1 before heading back to Qatar where they will begin their season with a math against Qatar SC in the first round of the Ooredoo Stars League at the Khalifa Stadium on August 10.

Al Duhail did not have a fruitful 2023-24 campaign as they endured a trophyless season and finished sixth in the league, failing to defend their title.

Olunga will be hoping for some good tidings in the upcoming season with Al Duhail keen to regain their place at the top.

Despite the bad season, Olunga still ended as his club’s top scorer with 28 goals and three assists across all competitions, even after spending two months out with an injury between December and February.