Olunga: It's disappointing for Harambee Stars to play home matches in Malawi

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga training at The Police Sacco Stadium ahead of FIFA World Cup Qualifier matches against Burundi and Ivory Coast to be played in Malawi. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Harambee Stars are gearing up for their crucial World Cup qualifiers against Burundi and Ivory Coast next month, despite facing the significant challenge of playing away from home.

Due to FIFA and CAF's ban on Kenya's stadia for failing to meet required standards, the matches will be held in Malawi's Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

Stars captain Michael Olunga has voiced his disappointment over the situation, emphasizing the lost advantage of playing on home soil.

"It is a very sad state that we cannot play here at home after we have seen Nyayo Stadium closed for two-three years for renovation but still we cannot secure to play here," Olunga expressed in a press briefing on Friday.

The striker highlighted the critical role fans play, citing a recent match against Gabon where home support significantly impacted the game's outcome.

Olunga lamented the absence of Kenyan fans, who have been eager to see their national team in action.

"It is a big disadvantage because when you play away, like we played with Gabon, their fans played a key role when they were trailing so this is the kind of advantage that we are going to lose because Kenyans are hungry to see Harambee Stars playing at home in an official game," he added.

Olunga called on the Ministry of Sports and the government to prioritize upgrading the facilities to meet CAF standards to avoid repeating such scenarios in future qualifiers.

"I just like to urge the Ministry of Sports and government to secure these surfaces that meet CAF standards so that the next qualifiers we do not repeat the same mistakes. We want people to enjoy the national team back at home."

Despite the setback, Olunga remains optimistic, drawing confidence from their recent experience at the Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe. The team played and won the Four Nations Tournament there in March, making the venue somewhat familiar territory.

"It is unfortunate but we are going to Malawi, a much more familiar territory, and we are going to give it our best because we are synched for the two games," Olunga noted.

While acknowledging the disadvantage of not having home support, Olunga believes the team's familiarity with the venue and conditions in Malawi could play to their advantage.

"We would have loved to have our fans because we have been playing well out there but it is by bad luck we cannot play at home but nowadays anywhere is home and the players are good and they will push us," he said. "It will not be a major disadvantage because all teams will play like they are away. It is good we know the pitch, temperature, so it is like one step ahead."