Harambee Stars skipper, Michael Olunga, has expressed confidence in the team's ability to pull off a major surprise in the 2026 Fifa World Cup Qualifiers that kicked off yesterday.
Olunga said the high-profile international friendly matches against Iran, Qatar, and Russia gave them a shot in the arm and equipped them with the appropriate artillery to vanquish their opponents.
Kenya stunned Qatar 2-1 in Doha before playing out to a two-all draw against World Cup veterans Russia in Turkey.
"I must say we gathered some invaluable lessons from the build-up matches that will help us contend well for World Cup slots in the ongoing qualifiers," Olunga remarked.
Olunga, who plies trade for Qatar premiership side, Al Duhail, added that they have sharpened their talons adequately enough to confound some of their more fancied Group 'F' opponents.
Other than continental minnows Seychelles, Gambia and Burundi, Kenya will flex muscles with highly-rated traditional behemoths Ivory Coast and Gabon in the grueling qualifiers.
The Kenyan lads opened their campaign against the Panthers of Gabon at the Stade de la Renovation in Franceville last evening.
"We have some of the best African teams in our group and we expect tough competition in the qualifiers. Our first two matches have been scheduled away from home and so our opponents will be enjoying the home advantage," Olunga said.
"Nonetheless, we have prepared adequately for the tasks ahead and the entire camp is in high spirits and prepared for the game," he added.
Olunga brushed aside concerns of ill-preparations, reiterating their desire to embellish Kenya's footballing image on the global front.
"We will do everything within our power to win our matches and make the country proud. Everyone on the team wants nothing short of victory and we are out here frantically searching for points that will propel us to the next stage of the tournament," Olunga stated.
His comments come against the backdrop of fears expressed by head coach Engin Firat who blatantly questioned the team's preparedness.
Harambee Stars are returning to the continental stage with a burning desire to succeed after two years in the cold following a far-reaching ban imposed by the world football governing body, Fifa.
Kenya attracted the fury of the Zurich-based World Federation after authorities replaced the country's duly elected football association with a caretaker committee.
Meanwhile, Olunga has said he is not under the pump to perform, even as fans continue to throng his social media pages to express concerns over his prolonged goal drought.
"I'm not all that keen about what people say about me on the internet and if there is any pressure then it is those managing my social media pages who must have felt it," he said.
