Relief For Harambee Stars: Top Striker Olunga Released To Join France Camp
5th June 2019
FKF announces former Gor striker will join teammates on Thursday after his Japanese club and the federation reach 'amicable' solution
- Earlier, FKF communications manager, Barry Otieno was quoted by news outlets expressing fears that the Kashiwa Reysol forward would miss out of the forthcoming 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaigns as the federation sought to secure his release
- The national governing body added it sought the FIFA Player Status Department’s intervention for the release of Olunga on Tuesday before reaching "an amicable decision with Reysol, one that will see Olunga check into camp on Thursday"
- Speaking to the federation's website, young Sofapaka FC forward Avire who was a surprise inclusion to the travelling contingent as well as former SPL side Kariobangi Sharks FC striker Juma told of their resolve to fight for a place in the final squad to prove critics who have slammed their selections wrong
NAIROBI, Kenya- Relief swept across the Harambee Stars training camp in France when Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed top striker Michael Olunga has been released by his Japanese side to link up with the team.
Earlier, FKF communications manager, Barry Otieno was quoted by news outlets expressing fears that the Kashiwa Reysol forward would miss out of the forthcoming 2019 CAF Africa Cup of Nations campaigns as the federation sought to secure his release.
However in a statement posted on their website on Wednesday, FKF announced; "Michael Olunga is on Thursday morning expected to join Harambee Stars camp in France ahead of Kenya’s upcoming international friendly matches against Madagascar and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.
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"This is following Kashiwa Reysol’s release of the player, who was a doubt for the camp as his parent club is still active in their domestic league."
The national governing body added it sought the FIFA Player Status Department’s intervention for the release of Olunga on Tuesday before reaching "an amicable decision with Reysol, one that will see Olunga check into camp on Thursday."
"His arrival now means the camp is full house ahead of the upcoming friendly matches against Madagascar on June 7, 2019, in Paris and against the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 15, 2019, in Madrid, Spain.
The team will then jet out to Cairo, Egypt, on June 19, 2019, in time for the continental showpiece," the federation declared.
The former SportPesa Premier League (SPL) champions Gor Mahia FC title-winner and top scorer is seen as the focal point of head coach Sebastien Migne's attack with Christopher Mbamba, John Avire and Masud Juma selected by the Frenchman as part of the 27-man preliminary squad that travelled to his native country last week for a three-week training camp.
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The potential absence of the lanky striker who starred for among others, La Liga side Girona where he became the first Kenyan to sink a hat-trick in the Spanish top flight has caused ripples especially after Migne left behind 2018/19 SPL top scorers, Enosh Ochieng' (20) and Allan Wanga (18) behind.
Tricky test
Having led Kenya to their first AFCON finals in 15 years after his appointment in May last year, Migne is expected to name his final 23 before the team leaves from Paris to Cairo ahead of their Group C matches, starting with a tricky test against 1994 champions, Algeria on June 30 before facing neighbours Tanzania (June 27) and Senegal (July 1) to complete their pool assignments.
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Speaking to the federation's website, young Sofapaka FC forward Avire who was a surprise inclusion to the travelling contingent as well as former SPL side Kariobangi Sharks FC striker Juma told of their resolve to fight for a place in the final squad to prove critics who have slammed their selections wrong.
“In 2016 at Sony Sugar, when I was called to the national team, everyone supported me. When I was called to the U23 team while I was at Bandari, everyone also supported me.
"The criticism only started when I was called up while playing for Kariobangi Sharks, which is associated with the FKF President. So I think they don’t hate me,” Juma who was the 2017 SPL Golden Boot winner where he fired Sharks to finish third on their top flight debut told FKF.
“I was hoping that I would do well in Libya but it is unfortunate that the political situation there couldn’t allow me to settle. So right now I am fully focused on working hard for a place in the final AFCON team and hopefully, things will work out well,” he added.
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Mbamba, on the hand, will be looking to make his debut for the senior national team having been declared his international football future for Kenya.
Born in Zimbabwe to a Namibian father and Kenyan mother, Mbamba played his formative football in Sweden, where he earned call-ups to the youth national teams. He, however, had Kenya in mind, and it’s not until March this year that he got a chance to audition for a place in the team.
“It is the dream of every footballer to play for the national team. I played for the Swedish youth teams but always had Kenya in the back of my mind, so when this opportunity came, I took it one time,” said Mbamba.