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Olunga has urged focus as Harambee Stars seek revenge against Cameroon in a pivotal 2025 AFCON qualifier.
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has rallied his teammates to remain focused ahead of their crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Cameroon on Monday.
Despite being a doubt for the clash due to a thigh injury, Olunga believes Kenya can bounce back from their disappointing 4-1 defeat in the first leg and push for a positive result in the return fixture.
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15:15 - 13.10.2024
Olunga a big doubt as Firat weighs Harambee Stars attack options against Cameroon
Engin Firat faces a tough decision as star striker Michael Olunga is doubtful for the AFCON qualifier against Cameroon.
Harambee Stars were left reeling after Cameroon dismantled them on Friday evening, with Olunga scoring the lone goal for the Kenyan side.
The heavy defeat was a blow to the team’s AFCON qualification hopes, but Olunga has urged his teammates to learn from their mistakes and approach the rematch with renewed determination.
"Of course we know the opponent, how we played in the last two days. It was not an easy game for us, but of course we have to learn from the first leg fixture.
We want to rectify our mistakes, and we want to come out and really play the real football that Kenya deserves. So we just want to come here with a positive mind, we want to start strong the game," said Olunga, speaking ahead of the crucial fixture.
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17:10 - 12.10.2024
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The Al Duial marksman acknowledged that Cameroon is a strong team, but emphasized that the Kenyan squad should focus on their own game and not dwell too much on their opponents' strengths.
"The last fixture we didn't start strong, but we want to try and contain our opponents and try to get positive results. Well of course, it's a strong team, you can see all the departments, they are very strong, but I believe this is football, and like I say, in the last fixture we made a lot of mistakes," he added.
Olunga, who scored his 30th international goal in the defeat, is just five goals away from equalling William Ouma's record as the Harambee Stars' all-time leading scorer.
Despite his personal milestone, the forward remains focused on the team’s success rather than individual accolades.
"It will boil down to what us, we can do as a team. We don't want to focus so much on the opponents, we already saw them. We know they have weaknesses, and we'll try to use these in the upcoming game," he noted, expressing optimism about the team’s chances.
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15:00 - 13.10.2024
Harambee Stars hold final training session as they eye revenge against Cameroon
Harambee Stars are set for a crucial AFCON qualifier against Cameroon after holding their final training session in Uganda.
The defeat to Cameroon was Kenya's first in eight games, but Olunga is confident that the team can turn things around. He pointed out that the group is still open, with Cameroon leading on seven points and Zimbabwe just one point ahead of Kenya.
"Of course the table is quite open, Cameroon is only 7 points away from us, Zimbabwe is only 1 point away from us. So it's all to play for, we cannot speak of losing hope at this moment.
We have a game, and we still have two more matches to play. So it's very important to keep focus, especially in this fixture, it's quite important. You see, Cameroon is one of the favourites team in the group," he concluded.
Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat will be hoping for a stronger performance from his team in the rematch, as they seek to avenge their defeat and keep their AFCON qualification hopes alive.
Firat’s side had been unbeaten in Group J before the loss having drawn 0-0 with Zimbabwe and beaten Namibia 2-1 in their previous outings.
"It could be good if we could have played back home in Kenya, but thanks to Uganda and their federation also for allowing us to host here. We want to come here and also represent East Africa in general," Olunga concluded.
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