Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has urged Kenyans to be patient as the team adapts to the coaching philosophy of newly appointed head coach Benni McCarthy.The South African football legend recently signed a two-and-a-half-year contract to lead the national team.With just one full training session before their crucial World Cup qualifier against Gambia on Thursday in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Olunga believes the transition will take time.##NAJAVA_MECA_8789835##The upcoming match is vital for both nations, as a win could significantly improve their standings in Group F and enhance their chances of progressing in the qualification campaign.Currently in fifth place, Gambia has managed one win in four matches under former Gor Mahia head coach Jonathan McKinstry.Their recent 1-0 victory over Tunisia demonstrated their ability to compete with top teams.Harambee Stars captain Olunga confident in Kenya’s World Cup qualifying chancesKenya, positioned fourth, has registered one win, two draws, and one loss. They started their campaign with a 2-1 defeat to Gabon, responded with an emphatic 5-0 triumph over Seychelles, and settled for draws against Burundi (1-1) and Ivory Coast (0-0).For Olunga, the match presents an opportunity to close in on Kenya’s all-time top scorer record. Having experienced coaching transitions both at the club and national level, he understands the challenges involved and has called on fans to give McCarthy time to implement his strategies.“Everyone is looking forward to our first assignment of the year under a new coach, and we hope to start on a positive note. The dynamics are different now, and we need time to adapt to the new system. However, I have great confidence in this young Kenyan squad,” Olunga said before the team’s departure to Abidjan.Kenya yet to pay Ksh1.6 billion CHAN hosting fee to CAFDespite the hurdles, Olunga remains optimistic about Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the World Cup, emphasizing the importance of their next two fixtures.“The upcoming matches will be tough, but I believe the group is still open. We face Gambia away, and we know they have developed into a strong team in Africa. It won’t be an easy game, but we are prepared for the challenge,” he added.##NAJAVA_MECA_8790127##
