World Cup (Q): McCarthy confirms Olunga injury concerns for Burundi test

Kenya national team head coach Benni McCarthy has confirmed three key players among them lead striker Michael Olunga are struggling with injuries and could miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Burundi at Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium on Thursday.

Speaking ahead of the matchday nine fixture, the South African coach confirmed that Olunga, Rooney Onyango and Alpha Onyango will be accessed before he names his starting XI for the dead rubber clash against the Swallows.

‘Players to be monitored before Burundi game’

“Some slight injury problems, but hopefully by the time we get to Burundi, we would have assessed and seen the levels the players are at,” McCarthy said as quoted by Pulse Sports.

“Rooney Onyango was struggling with a little problem at his club, but he’s done the scans and all the medical testing that was needed, and everything checked out okay. We’ll monitor him during training leading up to the game.”

On Olunga, McCarthy explained: “The captain also had some concerns with his hamstring. It’s just three days to go, so we want to give him as much training under his belt as possible and see how he feels when we get closer to the match.”

On Alpha Onyango’s situation, he said: “He came off, so we’ll check during the training sessions and see how we can manage him. But everybody else is 100 percent fit.”

Kenya will be playing for pride since their qualification chances were dimmed by Gambia following the 3-1 defeat on home soil.