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Why Kenya’s top striker Olunga could well remain in Qatar

Michael Olunga

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga during a training session at Police Sacco Stadium on May 31, 2024 in preparations for the Fifa World Cup qualifier against Burundi and Ivory Coast.

Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Geofrey Anene

By  Geoffrey Anene

Contributor

NMG Sport

What you need to know:

  • He emerged the top scorer in Qatar Stars League with 22 goals in 2021-2022, and repeated the feat in the 2022-2023 season.
  • He also finished on top of the scorers chart in Qatar Stars Cup (Ooredoo Cup) 2022-2023 with 10 goals.  
  • Olunga has not publicly talked about his next move in professional football.

Kenya international Michael Olunga is not leaving the Qatar Stars League (QSL) any time soon if reports in the Qatari media are anything to go by.

Olunga, 31, is now being linked with Dennis Oliech’s former side Al-Arabi, less than a week after leaving Al-Duhail.

Al-Raya newspaper is reporting that the former Al Duhail striker is “close to leading Al Arabi’s attack after the end of his career with his club”. 

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“The club’s management is seeking to finalise the deal in the coming days,” wrote the newspaper before quickly adding: “The only thing is that it’s not that easy.”

The lanky Kenyan centre forward joined Al-Duhail on January 12, 2021, and left on May 29. His contract at the Red Knights was due to expire on June 30, this year.

Both Olunga and Al-Duhail confirmed his departure on Thursday last week.

In a statement confirming his departure, Al Duhail said it “thanks its striker and historic top scorer Michael Olunga”.

Olunga, who has played for Djurgarden (Sweden), Zhicheng (China), Girona (Spain) and Kashiwa Reysol (Japan), joined Al Duhail on a two and a half years contract on January 12, 2021 from the Japanese top-tier side Kashiwa Reysol, which was extended on July 1, 2023.

In the just ended season, Olunga made 19 appearances in the Qatar Stars League, scoring 12 goals and contributing two assists as Al Duhail finished second to perennial rivals Al Sadd.

Olunga, who had his highest market value at Euros 9 million on May 25, 2022, at Al Duhail, left the club having won the Qatar Stars League in 2022-2023, Qatar Cup 2021-2022, Qatar League Cup 2023 and Qatar Stars Cup 2022-2023 and 2024-2025.

He emerged the top scorer in Qatar Stars League with 22 goals in 2021-2022, and repeated the feat in the 2022-2023 season.

He also finished on top of the scorers chart in Qatar Stars Cup (Ooredoo Cup) 2022-2023 with 10 goals.  
Olunga has not publicly talked about his next move in professional football.