Harambee Stars captain, Michael Olunga, believes their eagerly anticipated match against Iran will offer the ideal opportunity to get rid of the rust they accumulated after missing a year of international competition.
The two nations will lock horns in an enticing international friendly at the Azadi stadium in Tehran on Tuesday and Olunga reckons they possess the mojo to crack a successful result.
"Everyone is aware that the Iranians are very strong. Any team that has competed in the World Cup must be accorded the respect they deserve. They are well drilled both technically and tactically, and their most recent performance against Russia ended in a draw," Olunga said.
This is the first time the Stars are gracing the international stage after braving the cold since February last year following a far-reaching ban imposed by the world football governing body, Fifa.
Fifa unleashed its wrath on the country, citing third-party interference. The harsh penalty came after the Kenyan government expelled a legitimately elected football association led by Nick Mwendwa and established an ad-hoc committee to oversee the sport in the nation.
Olunga has sent a clarion call to his Harambee Stars teammates to rise from the ashes of the ban and shows the world what Kenyan football is made of.
"We are elated to be back because none of us has had an easy time. We now have a perfect opportunity to put everything behind us and make our country proud," Olunga said.
Olunga, who is serving his eighth straight year on the national team, admitted that it was a daunting experience watching helplessly from the periphery as rival nations hogged all the limelight on the international stage.
“Of course, featuring in these prestigious competitions is every player's dream. Observing other teams compete in the qualifiers is difficult. Although we would have liked to take part, we had no control over the suspension,” Olunga said.
"As players, we want to participate in these games, and it's a good step toward facing a capable team like Iran. Playing with highly-ranked teams is necessary if you want to compete at the highest level. The boys will do well on the test.
"Olunga has urged his teammates to prove their mettle in the global arena by punching above their weight in the nail-biting encounter that many pundits reckon could be Kenya's real baptism of fire in the country's football history.
“We should take advantage of these small opportunities and get ready for the upcoming tasks because at least now we are starting somewhere," Olunga said.
The 29-year-old striker who currently plies trade for Qatar's top-flight side, Al Duhail, is leading a star-studded 24-member squad.
The plane carrying the Kenyan contingent touched down at the Imam Khomeini International Airport in Tehran on Monday morning.
