Harambee Stars head coach Francis Kimanzi on Thursday confirmed lethal striker Micheal Olunga will captain the team during Sunday’s friendly match against Uganda Cranes.
Olunga was selected in the absence of Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Victor Wanyama who is injured.
It is an interesting choice of captain but one that went down well with football fans across the country. Below, we look at some of the qualities that prove he deserves the arm band.
Accountability
Micheal Olunga is one of the most accountable players for the team. He never hides even when things are going well and demonstrated that in this year’s Africa Cup Of Nations tournament.
The striker scored 2 of the 3 goals Kenya had in the tournament. His first was the equalizer against Tanzania and the second was a late winner in the same match. A leader is someone who must be trusted by his troops to deliver and Olunga offers exactly that.
Experience
Olunga has always been picked to play for the National team since he made his debut in 2015. He knows the demands and expectations while playing for the national flag and will be a good example to the younger players. He has also played one of the best leagues in the world when he featured for Spanish La Liga side Girona FC.
At 25 years of age, he still has many years to play for the National team which makes his appointment as captain brilliant move both for now and for the future.
Natural leader
Any keen Harambee Stars follower will have noticed that Micheal Olunga is always the first to speak whenever Harambee Stars are due to play or after a game. He naturally speaks with authority and showcases a great understanding of the game.
On the pitch, Olunga is vocal and can be seen encouraging his teammates when things are not going right. At times you will find him deep in his own half trying to help the defenders despite his strong striking instincts. Olunga is a natural leader and his appointment could prove to be a masterstroke from Kimanzi.