Former Harambee Stars right-back James Situma has tipped national team captain Michael Olunga to excel in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier doubleheader against Cameroon.The Stars will face the five-time African champions on Friday, 11 October, in Cameroon before hosting them three days later at Mandela Stadium in Namboole, Uganda.Olunga missed the first two rounds of qualifiers against Zimbabwe and Namibia due to an injury sustained while playing for his Qatari club, Al Duhail.His absence was most noticeable during the Zimbabwe match, where Kenya struggled in the final third.However, his understudies, John Avire and Jonah Ayunga, impressed in the 2-1 victory over Namibia.##NAJAVA_MECA_8388782##Situma believes head coach Engin Firat will likely include Olunga in the starting lineup.“I’m confident Olunga will deliver in both matches. As the captain, he returns with the responsibility of keeping Kenya at the top of the group. He’s a dependable striker who thrives in big games, and the competition from his understudies will only motivate him to perform better,” said Situma, a former AFC Leopards defender.Olunga enters the qualifiers in excellent form, having scored five goals in four league starts for Al Duhail.At the national team level, he will compete for a starting spot with Adam Wilson and Alfred Scriven, who are also in good scoring form in their respective leagues.Avire, Ayunga, and AFC Leopards striker Sydney Lokale are also vying for places in the squad.Manchester United among clubs scouting Kenyan star midfielderSituma is confident that Firat has the ability to lead Kenya past the African giants, citing Kenya’s recent high-profile friendlies as good preparation for such crucial encounters.The last time the two sides met, Cameroon came from behind to beat Kenya 3-1 in a friendly at Kasarani Stadium.Situma, who captained Kenya and scored their lone goal in that match, believes that the gap between the two teams has since narrowed.”Generations have changed, and the difference between the two teams is much smaller than before. We now have the capability to compete with them and get results. The tough friendlies we’ve played have certainly prepared our players for matches of this magnitude,” said Situma, a former Kakamega Homeboyz player.Former City Stars striker keen to guide Naivas to promotion
