Kashiwa Reysol striker Michael Ogada Olunga has been appointed national soccer team Harambee Stars captain, albeit on an interim basis.
The Japan-based striker will captain Harambee Stars during a friendly match against neighbours Uganda at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, Nairobi on Sunday, due to the unavailability of captain Victor Wanyama who plies his trade with English side Tottenham Hotspur.
Harambee Stars Head Coach Francis Kimanzi confirmed the choice of Olunga as his captain during the Uganda game.
Olunga will be assisted by Gor Mahia defender Joash Onyango.
“When you don’t have your regular captain, you have to look around among your most experienced players and Olunga stands out on that aspect. That is among the reasons we felt he is best placed to lead the team,” Kimanzi said as quoted by soka.co.ke.
Olunga has been on the roll in Japan, scoring 14 goals for Kashiwa in the second tier league this season.
The top scorer in the league this season has 17 goals.
The Kenya versus Uganda will be the first match for Kimanzi after being appointed Harambee Stars coach recently.
He took the reins from Frenchman Sebastian Migne who left his position on a mutual agreement with the Kenya Football Federation (FKF) shortly after the 2019 AFCON tournament in Egypt.