As Kenya prepares to face the African champions Ivory Coast on Tuesday afternoon, Harambee Stars’ captain Michael Olunga has emerged as the primary concern for Ivory Coast coach Emerse Fae. The encounter is critical for Kenya, who are aiming to keep their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes alive following a 1-1 draw with Burundi last week.
Ivory Coast has had a stellar qualification campaign so far, winning all three of their matches. They have dominated their opponents, beginning with a 9-0 thrashing of Seychelles, followed by a 2-0 victory over the Gambia, and a 1-0 win against Gabon. Despite this, Fae is wary of the challenge that Olunga and his team pose.
“Olunga is a very good player. He may not be very famous in the world of football, but we have to keep an eye on him because he is a very lethal striker,” said Fae on Monday. “He is a player capable of scoring at any time and from any position. However, our focus needs to be on the entire Kenyan team, not just Olunga.”
The stakes are high for Kenya, who sit third in Group F with four points from three matches. Their campaign has been inconsistent, starting with a 2-1 loss away to Gabon, followed by a 5-0 thrashing of Seychelles in November, and the recent draw against Burundi. This inconsistency leaves them in a precarious position, level on points with Burundi and needing a strong performance against Ivory Coast to keep their qualification dreams alive.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, leads the group with a perfect nine points. A victory on Tuesday would solidify their position at the top and bring them closer to securing a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Despite being the overwhelming favorites, Fae remains cautious and refuses to underestimate Kenya.
“Today in Africa, there are no small teams. All teams are now playing well. Kenya wants to show that they can beat the African champions. We have two goals: to go to the World Cup and qualify for the next AFCON in Morocco. Ivory Coast missed the last two World Cups, and we want to keep the cup [AFCON] in Morocco,” added the former Ivory Coast international.
The pressure is on for Harambee Stars to deliver a stellar performance against the formidable Ivorians. A win would not only boost their World Cup qualification hopes but also prove their mettle against one of Africa’s strongest teams. With Olunga as their key weapon, Kenya aims to rise to the occasion and secure a vital victory.
