Former Kenyan international Elijah Onsika believes Harambee Stars must move away from their heavy reliance on Michael Olunga and find goal-scoring alternatives within the squad.Olunga has been the team’s primary talisman for nearly eight years and is among the top scorers in the national team’s history. However, in his absence, the team has often struggled for ideas upfront, as was evident in the recent 2025 AFCON qualifier in Uganda.##NAJAVA_MECA_8325773##Currently sidelined with an injury, the Al Duhail SC forward missed Kenya’s last two AFCON qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia. The team managed a 0-0 draw and a 2-1 victory, respectively, which helped them take control of Group J ahead of their October double-header against Cameroon.Kenya’s performance against Zimbabwe, a side they usually dominate, was underwhelming, with Onsika calling for other players to step up in Olunga’s absence.”We rely too much on Olunga to score, forgetting that there are other players capable of stepping in. We need a clinical finisher who can take responsibility when Olunga is unavailable. The squad members must rise to the occasion,” Onsika told SportsBoom.He also pointed out Kenya’s lack of attacking threat, with the team registering just two shots on target against Zimbabwe. Coach Engin Firat’s decision to play without a traditional striker, opting for a false nine, drew criticism from various football stakeholders.“The team needed to make more incisive forward passes. Against Zimbabwe, the game started well, but as it went on, it seemed destined to end in a goalless draw. We lacked the attacking sharpness that Zimbabwe had,” Onsika added.Nairobi City Stars CEO explains limited activity in concluded transfer windowHe also criticized Firat, urging the Turkish coach to field players in their natural positions and avoid unnecessary risks if Kenya hopes to qualify for AFCON 2025 in Morocco.“Firat has quality players at his disposal. He just needs to use them correctly. Cameroon is waiting for us, and we won’t win playing the way we did against Zimbabwe. We need to manage expectations, but if the coach adjusts his tactics, plays players in their rightful roles, and picks the best line-up, then there’s hope for qualification,” Onsika concluded.Harambee Stars stranded in South Africa
