Kenya national football team captain Michael Olunga has admitted that it was difficult to watch the team from the sidelines as he missed the opening round of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers due to injury.
Olunga has been a key member of the Kenyan national team over the last few years, and his absence was a blow to the team as they seek to qualify for next year’s Cup of Nations. However, they picked four points from a possible six, to sit top of the group ahead of next month’s rounds.
It was definitely tough for me watching from the sidelines because I always want to help my team as much as I can. We had worked so hard with the medical team to try and see if I could make it even for one game but it was impossible. However, I am glad we had some good results which put us at a good place heading to next month.
The striker, who plays for Qatari top tier side Al-Duhail, has returned to action and came on as a substitute in his side’s last match. He says he feels stronger and hopes to be fully fit ahead of next month’s matches, where Kenya play back to back against Cameroon.
“I feel better, and relieved, to have returned. Now it is just a matter of trying to build the fitness and ensuring that I am physically ready.
Kenya has not qualified for the Cup of Nations since 2019, and Olunga hopes he can inspire the team to break their luck.
