Michael Olunga is braced for a “tough” game against Ethiopia but is “positive” of getting a good result in the 2019 Afcon qualifying Group F match at Bahir Dar Stadium Wednesday.
The Japan-based Harambee Stars dependable striker, who is currently enjoying a top form for his club Kashiwa Reysol, is expected to lead the assault against the Walia Ibex.
The former Tusker, Gor Mahia and Girona player boasts three goals and two assists for Kashiwa thus far. He scored in the J-League side’s last two games before the international break.
“We are optimistic for the game tomorrow, it’s not going to be an easy one but everyone in the squad is prepared for a tough match so we hope we are going to get a positive result,” Olunga said after Tuesday’s final training session at the match venue.
All twenty two players who were summoned for the match arrived by Monday for the first joint training session which was overseen by head coach Sebastien Migne at Bahir Dar’s training ground and watched by hundreds of Ethiopian fans.
Ethiopia is a football mad country and fans are expected to fill the sixty thousand capacity stadium to try to push the Walia Ibex to victory, but Olunga is not bothered.
“It’s a good factor for them but football nowadays is dynamic – it has changed, so it’s going to be 11 v 11 inside the pitch and we are going to play our level best and minimize our mista;kes.”
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Harambee Stars edged out Ghana’s Black Stars 1-0 in their last qualifier and with Sierra Leone suspended by FIFA in Group F, a win for Kenya Wednesday would greatly advance their chances of qualifying for the 2019 Afcon slated for Cameroon.
Kenya has never qualified for the Afcon since 14 years ago when they graced the 2004 edition in Tunisia.
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