Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga is looking forward to facing off against his Al Duhail teammates when Kenya takes on Qatar in an international friendly on Thursday 7 September 2023 at the Al Janoub Stadium.
The Kenyan, who plies his trade with the Qatari Stars League side Al Duhail, will lead the Engin Firat charges in a familiar territory, against familiar opponents.
Duhail’s goalkeeper Salah Zakaria, defender Youssef Ayman, midfielder Karim Boudiaf, and Olunga’s striking partner Al Moez Ali have all been included in Qatar’s squad for the upcoming matches against Kenya and Russia.
Speaking during the Harambee Stars’ press conference on Monday, Olunga outlined his anticipation towards the match.
“It is an advantage that I know how they play and also an advantage for them that they know how I play. It will be a good match playing against the players I am playing with day in day out. There are four players in their national team from Duhail. It will be a good competition, I already told them we will not be friends during the game and they told me the same,” the former Gor Mahia player said.
The lanky forward further opines that the national team will enjoy the support of Kenyans living in Qatar going by the interest shown by a big number of them.
With World Cup qualifier matches against the likes of Ivory Coast and Gabon, Olunga believes that the match will offer good competition and preparation to the kind of environment they will likely receive when they play away against teams that have hostile environments.
“I believe we will have enough support from the Kenyans in Qatar. A lot of them have shown interest in the game. It will also be a good opportunity to play in this kind of environment. In the African football setup, we will go to play away to Ivory Coast and Gabon and these are hostile environments and we have to be able to handle these kinds of pressure. It is a good friendly and I am really looking forward to it,” he added.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Ian Otieno (Zesco, Zambia), Byrne Odhiambo (KCB), Patrick Matasi (Kenya Police FC)
Defenders
Collins Sichenje (AIK, Sweden), Joseph Okumu (Stade Reims, France), Brian Mandela (Mamelodi Sundowns, South Africa), Johnstone Omurwa (Estrela, Portugal), David Ochieng (Kenya Police), Daniel Anyembe (Viborg, Denmark), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), Amos Nondi (Ararat, Armenia), Abud Omar (Kenya Police), Clarke Oduor (England)
Midfielders
Richard Odada (AaB, Denmark), Teddy Akumu (Sagan Tosu, Japan), Kenneth Muguna (Kenya Police), Timothy Ouma (IF Elfsborg, Sweden), Duke Abuya (Singida Fountain Gate, Tanzania), Abdallah Hassan (Bandari), Ayub Masika (Nanjing City Football Club, China), Alfred Scriven (IL Hødd, Norway), Austin Odhiambo (Gor Mahia), Stanley Wilson.
Forwards
Moses Shummah (Kakamega Homeboyz), Elvis Rupia (Kenya Police), Michael Olunga (Al Duhail, Qatar), Masud Juma (Al Jabalain, Saudi Arabia)
