Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has called on Kenyan supporters to rally behind the team ahead of their crucial World Cup qualifier against Gabon. The match is set to take place at Nyayo Stadium on March 23, marking the first time in 18 months that the national team will play on home soil.
The Stars, under the guidance of South African coach Benni McCarthy, are eager to put on a strong performance in front of their fans. Olunga, who currently plays for Al Duhail and has scored 11 league goals in 15 matches this season, emphasized the importance of the supporters in football. He highlighted that the presence of the 12th man can significantly boost the team’s morale and performance.
Speaking in an interview, Olunga expressed his excitement about playing at home and urged fans to attend the match in large numbers. “I urge the fans to turn out in large numbers on Sunday against Gabon. They need to come and give us the 12th man support that is really much needed and has been missing. I know Kenyans really love football, and we are looking forward to seeing them again on Sunday.”
The 30,000-seater Nyayo Stadium, along with the Kasarani Stadium, had been closed for renovations, which forced Harambee Stars to play away matches. The team’s last game on home soil was a friendly against South Sudan on September 12, 2023, which ended in a 1-0 loss.
Since then, the national team has played 21 matches across various competitions, including friendlies, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the African Nations Championship (CHAN), and World Cup qualifiers, all without hosting a match in Kenya. During their World Cup qualifying campaign, Kenya designated Bingu Stadium in Lilongwe, Malawi, as their home ground for fixtures against Burundi and Ivory Coast. Meanwhile, for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, they played home matches in Uganda, facing off against Cameroon, Zimbabwe, and Namibia in Group F.
The return to Nyayo Stadium comes at a crucial juncture for the team, as they strive to establish themselves under McCarthy’s leadership. His appointment was seen as a move to revitalize Kenya’s performance on the international stage.
Before facing Gabon, Harambee Stars have another significant encounter against The Gambia on March 20 at the Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium in Ivory Coast. The match will be held there as The Gambia does not have a stadium approved by FIFA or the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to host international fixtures.
With back-to-back qualifiers, Kenya aims to secure vital points and keep their World Cup hopes alive. The return to a home crowd could be the morale boost the team needs to make a strong statement in their qualifying campaign. As the excitement builds, the players and coaching staff are counting on the unwavering support of their fans to create an electrifying atmosphere at Nyayo Stadium.
