New signing Michael Olunga can’t wait to be part of the action when Al Duhail take on Egypt’s Al Ahly in the FIFA Club World Cup tomorrow.
The Kenyan forward inked a contract with the reigning QNB Stars League champions after spending two years at Japan’s Kashiwa Reysol where he won the J-League MVP honours last year after scoring 28 goals and helping his team win the title.
On January 25, he scored a hat-trick against Al Ahli in Duhail’s 6-0 win to underline his credentials, and he would be key to their fortunes against the Egyptian giants tomorrow with the winners earning a clash with German and European champions Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
African champions Al Ahly are a feared outfit with a passionate fan following, but Olunga feels they can be beaten.
 “It is not a friendly game that we will be playing,” Olunga told beIN Sports. “Al Ahly are the Africans champions and they are strong but of course we respect them but we do not fear them.
“We will be playing at home, we will have our fans and it is going to be a good and balanced game but at the end of the day, we will have to stick to our philosophy as a team.
“I believe with a good tactical approach I believe we have a chance.”
Olunga, however, did not want to talk about a possible showdown with Bayern Munich – which he says would be a dream – as he insisted on the need to focus on Al Ahly first.
“It is every player’s dream to be at the semi-final of FIFA Club World Cup. Beating Al Ahly and facing Bayern Munich is a dream for everyone in our dressing room,” the former Gor Mahia star explained.
“It is going to be a big moment if we can achieve the fete and compete against the best European club of last season.
“We cannot skip the fact that we have to play Al Ahly, and you cannot prepare for something that you do not know it is going to happen. But I can say for sure we are preparing hard for the Al Ahly game and it is going to be a big test for us.
“I know each player is yearning for the next phase. As the coach said, we have to plan for the job that is in front of us and later if we can progress we can see how to approach the [Bayern Munich] game.”
This is Olunga’s first appearance in a global club tournament and he is banking on Al Dhual’s supporters to support the team and help them make history.
“All the Duhail fans and of course all the Qatari fans will be rallying behind us and they would want us to go as far as possible and that is going to be a big fete for the club just founded in 2009,” he added.
“And ten years later, they are playing in the FIFA Club World Cup. That is quite a great achievement and imagine going further in the competition it is going to be really massive progress for the club and its future.”
He also spoke about the welcome he has received from his fellow Kenyans in Qatar. “I thank all the Kenyans in Doha who have supported me since my arrival and made me feel that I am in my country. I invite them to watch the matches and cheer Al Duhail in the tournament.”