Michael Olunga in action for Al-Arabi against Qatar SC. ©Michael Olunga Facebook

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has given coach Benni McCarthy a lift, having returned to action just in time for tough World Cup qualifiers.

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy will be delighted to have seen his captain Michael Olunga get minutes for his club Al-Arabi after nearly three weeks without a game.

Olunga had suffered an injury shortly after the September international break during Al-Arabi’s 3-2 loss to Al-Shamal on September 13 and it saw him miss the next game, an 8-1 thrashing at home to his former club Al-Duhail.

He was on the bench as they lost 4-0 to Al-Sailiya on September 27 but did not play and was among the substitutes again as Al Arabi faced Qatar SC on Saturday.

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However, this time, he was involved in the second half as his team won 4-1, but he was not on target. What was most needed, however, is some minutes in the legs for Olunga before he departs for international duty with Harambee Stars, who have two top matches lined up.

Kenya play away to Burundi on October 9 before visiting African champions Ivory Coast five days later and Olunga is a key player that McCarthy will need as they go in search of a win.

Harambee Stars are already out of the running for a ticket to the World Cup but will have a say over who makes it directly and the team that finishes second.

The Ivorians lead Group F with 20 points, one ahead of Gabon, and must win their remaining two games against Seychelles and Kenya to book a direct ticket as any slipups will allow The Panthers to sneak through.

That adds pressure not just on coach Emerse Fae but to McCarthy who will need a top squad to get a result from the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations Cup winners.

The extra incentive for Harambee Stars is that a win or draw against the Ivorians will greatly improve their FIFA ranking hence the importance of having Olunga and co in the squad.

Olunga is also chasing his own bit of history as he is three goals away from overtaking William Ouma as Kenya’s all-time top scorer and he can edge closer this month if he gets on the score sheet.

The 31-year-old striker has been preferred in attack by McCarthy who will be relieved that he has shaken off the fitness concerns and ready to go for the national team.