Olunga lauds integration of Kenya’s emerging talents in Harambee Stars squad

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga believes integrating young talent is the secret to Kenya’s long-term success and the surest path to finally going toe-to-toe with Africa’s footballing heavyweights.

The Al-Arabi striker made the remarks on Thursday, November 12, 2026, ahead of Kenya’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against South Africa, praising the deliberate blend of seasoned experience and emerging youth in head coach Benni McCarthy’s squad.

Olunga’s comments coincide with his own return to the fold following a long-term injury layoff that required surgery, amid a wave of convincing results on the international stage from both Kenya U23 and the Junior Starlets teams.

Speaking on the composition of McCarthy’s side, the veteran forward stressed that building a squad capable of testing the continent’s elite requires giving young prospects meaningful opportunities now ahead of next year’s continental showpiece.

“We also want Kenya to reach those levels where we can participate and compete with the giants of African football. So, we are trying as much as possible to assemble a good team that can compete,” Olunga said.

“Of course, we have had emerging talents coming up in the squad, and this is why we want to give each and every player a chance and have a blend of experience and youth players coming into the side so that when we arrive in that situation, we are a different team that you’re going to see play tomorrow.”

His return to action also places him on the brink of Kenyan football immortality.

With 34 international goals to his name, the prolific poacher sits just one strike shy of matching William ‘Chege’ Ouma’s long-standing national record—and needs only two more to stand alone as Harambee Stars’ outright all-time leading scorer.

Despite the looming milestone, Olunga brushed aside personal accolades, insisting his focus remains firmly on collective progress and using high-profile tests like South Africa to gauge Kenya’s readiness as 2027 co-hosts.

“So, for me, my aim is to try and help the team. Of course, I don’t want to chase personal records. The most important thing now is to look at how we can build a competitive side and a competitive structure ahead of next year’s AFCON,” he posited.

“It’s going to be a big defining moment for Kenya, especially since the last time we qualified was in 2019. Now, having already qualified as hosts, we want to use this platform to compete against one of the best sides on the continent and see where our level is.”

Kenya plays South Africa in the first leg of the Group D meeting this Friday, November 13, 2026, at 7:00 pm.

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