Harambee Stars’ captain, Michael Olunga, has found himself at the center of criticism following Kenya’s 2-2 draw in a friendly match against Russia played in Turkey on Monday, October 16.
The disappointment stems from missed opportunities that could have potentially secured victory for Kenya.
Notably, the match was a part of a friendly aimed at preparing Kenya for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers in November.
In a rollercoaster of a match, Kenya bounced back from an early eighth-minute deficit to lead 2-1 in the first half.
Goals from Anthony Akumu and Masud Juma had seemingly set the stage for a triumph, but a fine late Russian goal ensured the teams shared the spoils.
However, the spotlight remained firmly on the captain, who squandered a clear-cut chance to extend Kenya’s lead and struggled with his first touch throughout the game.
Netizens were quick to voice their disappointment, with one user stating, “Kenyans mad at Michael Olunga after missing a seater against Russia.”
Furthermore, another user concurred, adding, “Kenyans have come to the conclusion that Olunga needs to up his game.”
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Harambee Stars captain criticized
Criticism continued to pour in as one user noted, “Olunga’s first touch is not good, and he needs to improve.
Those one-on-one chances he’s missing in recent Harambee Stars games are not good.”
Further, the frustration of fans was evident as they emphasized the importance of the captain leading by example.
An astute observation came from a fan who watched the game closely and stated, “This country denied Jesse Were a chance to prove himself at Harambee Stars when he was banging goals left, right, and center.”
“Now Olunga plays even 90 minutes when he can’t find the back of the net. What message are we sending to other strikers? What value is it to have him there firing blanks?” he questioned.
What’s more, the concerns by fans extended further, with the sentiment clear – the former Gor Mahia talisman’s performance leaves much to be desired.
A concerned fan summarized the situation, saying, “Harambee Stars captain evidently needs to regain his confidence and scoring touch if Kenya is to perform well in the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.”
Moreover, many fans expressed that the Qatar based Al Duhail talisman has been a pale shadow of his former self in the recent few matches for Kenya.
Olunga Defended
However, there were voices of support amid the criticism. One fan pointed out, “No player had more shot attempts in the Russia vs. Harambee Stars game than Michael Olunga.
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In fact, he was the third highest rated player in that game after Anthony Akumu and Russian midfielder Maksin Mukhin.
He might be out of luck, but once his form kicks in, he will score more goals.”
Another loyal supporter passionately stated, “Michael Olunga is undeniably our best player at the moment.
I kindly request that you refrain from insulting our captain. Let us show him the respect he deserves.”
The debate didn’t end there, as some fans contemplated the best approach for a struggling captain.
One fan asked, “As a coach, do you drop your player when he’s having a poor run of form like Olunga or do you still keep him?
Retaining him reassures your confidence in him.”
