Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has expressed his support to an African star, who was linked with Kaizer Chiefs earlier this season, following the Harambee Stars' defeat to Gabon.
Michael Olunga, who currently plays for Qatar Stars League club Al-Duhail and serves as captain of McCarthy's team, was unable to guide his team to victory as they fell 2-1 to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's Panthers on Sunday.
Nevertheless, the 31-year-old player has been instrumental in the current FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. He found the back of the net in both matches against Gabon and their exciting 3-3 draw against Gambia last Thursday.
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After squandering many opportunities against Gambia, McCarthy backed Olunga, who has reportedly been on the Chiefs' radar in recent months, expressing confidence that he will return even stronger.
"It is football, he was just unfortunate against Gambia. It happens, I was a striker and I used to miss a lot of chances," McCarthy said, as quoted by Nation Sports.
"He is our leader. He is the guy that I look to set the example for the rest of the team because he is one of the best finishers in the game.
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"If there are players proving to be better than him, they will play, but unfortunately, he is the best we have got. The fact that he is getting chances means the team is doing something well, and it will come."
Kenya, currently positioned fourth in the Group F standings, have collected six points so far, with one win, two losses, and three draws from six matches.
Olunga will be looking to sharpens his finishing when the Harambee Stars return to the World Cup Qualifiers action again in September when they face against Seychelles and Burundi.