‘No one comes close to Olunga’ – Tusker’s Matano slams striker’s critics

Tusker head coach Robert Matano has slammed Michael Olunga's critics and said no Kenyan player comes close to the Al Duhail SC striker.

Olunga has been under constant criticism when he is not scoring for Harambee Stars. But in the last two matches; a World Cup qualifier against the Seychelles and a Four-Nation encounter against Malawi, the former Tusker star has scored four goals.

Matano, a Football Kenya Federation Premier League winner, has worked with Olunga before and said he is a top star.

“I hear people criticize Olunga, just give him time. I brought him through from Upper Hill High School when I was at Tusker, and he was the top scorer in a junior tournament in Zanzibar.

“Even right now, no player comes close to Olunga in Kenya. He is just a player that needs service, and today [Saturday] he got that and scored," Matano told a local TV station.

Matano, when not taking charge of his Tusker players, is a usual matchday analyst, and he was performing the same duties when Kenya played and outshined Malawi on Saturday in Lilongwe.

Matano on Matasi, Omurwa

The experienced coach also praised goalkeeper Patrick Matasi, who not only saved a penalty but kept a clean sheet. Matano and Matasi have worked before at Ruaraka.

“Matasi on his day, and when he has a good defense, you will see him well. When he is calm, he brings out his A game," the former AFC Leopards head coach said.

He pointed out that Johnstone Omurwa, who is fast establishing himself as a constant figure in Engin Firat's defense line, is sometimes suffering from overconfidence.

“They were connecting very well with all of them; [Johnstone] Omurwa was a bit shaky due to overconfidence and missed some passes, which was normal, but their organization as a team was good, and that is how to win because everyone is doing their job," he concluded.

Kenya are in Malawi for a tournament that is being held in the March FIFA international window and will be used as preparation for the June World Cup qualifiers.

Harambee Stars will play in the Four-Nations final against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, March 26, 2024.

In the match against Malawi, Tusker's Crhispine Erambo and AFC Leopards' Vincent Mahiga were given their national team debuts.

John Avire, who was involved for the first time since his appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt in 2019, made a good account as he scored the fourth goal.