National team Harambee Stars may be forced to take to the pitch Thursday in Burundi without the services of main man Michael Olunga, following an admission by head coach Benni McCarthy that the striker is carrying a knock.
Gor Mahia midfield hard man Alpha Onyango will also face a late fitness test ahead of the clash, as will fullback Ronney Onyango, now based in Norway.
"We will test the three players before the match because they arrived here in camp carrying knocks. We will assess them and make a decision by kick off, McCarthy said prior to departure from Nairobi for Bujumbura.
He confirmed that Olunga was facing a hamstring issue at the moment and that there is a possibility he may not feature against Burundi come matchday.
"Olunga has a hamstring problem. We are managing it and we will see how he turns up on Thursday, he added.
Lawrence Okoth, who features for Finnish top-flight club SJK Seinäjoki will be handed an opportunity to impress for the national team, thanks to the injury situation. McCarthy is also looking ahead to the future, with his current selection.
Together with another young striker Ryan Ogam, the hope is that the two can take over the goalscoring department.
Okoth, likened by many to Harambee Stars captain Olunga; they both have links to the Michael Olunga Foundation Academy MOFA, is likely to get solid minutes as a result.
" Lawrence Okoth is likely to get an opportunity to play. These two matches have no meaning for us as we cannot qualify mathematically, but we can use them to gauge where we are and give some of our other players minutes. I hope they take their opportunity, he offered.
The team landed in Bujumbura on Tuesday and has been in camp at their hotel. They will be hoping to collect a win that will see them rise above their rivals in group F. Currently Burundi have 10 points with Harambee Stars on nine.