Harambee Stars' skipper Michael Olunga has implored his teammates to step on the gas peddle in their last two 2022 Qatar World Cup qualifiers against Uganda and Rwanda to salvage the nation's battered ego.
The Qatar-based marksman attributed Kenya's miserable run thus far to a blunt striking force and called for more composure in front of goal in their much-touted ‘Migingo derby’ against the Cranes at St. Mary's Kitende this afternoon.
“In the last two games, we've not found the back of the net and this is an area we are trying hard to address as a team. In our last matches, we created several chances which we didn't utilise, so against Uganda and our upcoming matches we can make use of the changes we come across.”
Olunga made the remarks as the team prepared for departure at the JKIA on Wednesday morning — just a few hours before their plane touched down at Entebbe later in the day.
“Of course this will be an East African derby, and none of the teams will find the going easy. However, we don't care much about the opponents. We'll approach the match according to our strategy,″ said Olunga.
Although Stars have already been bundled out of contention for a qualification slot, Olunga urged his teammates to bounce back strongly to redeem the country's blotted image.
“Our first meeting in Nairobi ended in a goalless draw. This kind of match offers the opportunity to go out there and fight for national pride. Winning the game will reflect positively on the quality of our country's football,” said Olunga.
“As players, we are more focused on the upcoming assignments, we don't let what is happening beyond the pitch affect us much because as players we can only control what's within our power which is going out there to perform.”
Olunga said the team is in high spirits ahead of the encounter despite having just come from two consecutive losses against group "E" leaders Mali, who thumped them 5-0 in Morocco before winning 1-0 in Nairobi.
“The momentum in the camp is high and the players are motivated and we are looking forward to a brilliant game.
Coach Engin Firat's charges will have a three-day rest before they return to action against Rwanda in Nairobi on Monday.
Unlike Kenya who have already been bundled out of the competition, Uganda still stand a mathematical chance of qualifying, given they are two points adrift of Mali who have 10 points from four matches.
Whereas Kenya place third with two points, Rwanda are last with a solitary point collected from their draw against Kenya in Kigali.
