Harambee Stars forward Ryan Ogam has expressed optimism ahead of Kenya’s upcoming football friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and Senegal, set to take place in Turkey this month. The two matches are significant tests for the Kenyan national team, with Ogam particularly excited about the chance to play against some of Africa’s top footballers, including Senegal’s Sadio Mane and Nicolas Jackson.
Kenya faces Equatorial Guinea on November 14, followed by a match against Senegal four days later. Both games are expected to challenge the team’s strength and unity, as they will be up against some of the continent’s best players. Despite the tough opposition, Ogam believes the Harambee Stars are prepared to rise to the occasion.
“We have a good team and we believe we will have a good outing in this camp,” said Ogam. “It’s a different team, especially with the inclusion of new players, but in football, there are no new players — everyone is part of the squad, and we are all in this together.”
The Austria-based striker acknowledged the pressure of playing against high-ranking teams, especially Senegal, who are currently ranked 18th in the world and are the reigning African champions. However, Ogam remains confident, stating that the challenge brings a positive kind of pressure. “Being in the limelight means everyone will be watching your performance, but this is positive pressure,” he said. “For me, every time I play, I want to give more than 100 percent, and I am looking forward to these games.”
Ogam emphasized the importance of unity within the squad, especially as they face two challenging matches. “The objective is to win both games, but it won’t be easy. If we stay united and push hard together, we will achieve our goal,” he added.
Football Kenya Federation has lined up these quality friendlies to test the team’s readiness for future competitions. Ogam sees these matches as an excellent opportunity for Kenya to demonstrate their skills on the international stage, particularly against opponents with strong footballing pedigree.
As the Harambee Stars prepare for these high-stakes encounters, Ogam’s belief in the team’s potential remains unwavering, and he is eager to help guide Kenya to success against the formidable forces of Equatorial Guinea and Senegal.
