Michael Olunga lists four career highlights since joining Qatar’s Al Duhail

© Michael Olunga

STARS ABROAD Michael Olunga lists four career highlights since joining Qatar’s Al Duhail

Joel Omotto 07:04 - 13.10.2023

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has revealed the achievements that give him the most joy since joining Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail three years ago.

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga has listed his Golden Boot awards as among his biggest achievements since joining Qatar Stars League (QSL) champions Al Duhail three years ago.

Olunga joined Al Duhail during the January transfer window of the 2020-21 season and has enjoyed remarkable success, emerging top scorer in 2021-22 with 24 goals as well as in 2022-23, when he bagged 22 league goals, as his side were crowned champions.

The striker was also the top scorer in the Ooredoo Cup with 10 goals with Al Duhail lifting the trophy as well as the Qatar Cup, ending last season with 40 goals from 38 games in all competition.

Asked to name his best moments in Qatar, the striker outlined his individual accolades as those that give him the most joy.

“My first league goal is still vivid in my memory. Becoming the top scorer in two seasons, especially last season when I scored four goals in the last match (Al Duhail beat Al Shamal 5-2), was memorable,” Olunga said during an interview with the Qatar Stars League website.

“But winning the Amir Cup (2021-2022 season) stands out also for the prestige associated with the tournament.

“Also, reaching the semifinals of 2022 AFC Champions League was one of my best moments in Qatar. We had a good run and it was a great achievement for Al Duhail to reach the last-four stage in the highest continental competition for the first time in the club’s history.”

While he is happy with his past achievements, Olunga admitted he is not enjoying his club’s current run as they have only garnered one point in their first two Asian Champions League games while managing one win in their last five games in all competitions, leading to the sacking of Argentine coach Hernan Crespo.

“I can’t really say that (enjoying current run). However, I feel great now since Al Duhail have won almost all titles since I joined them and I can say that all my time here in Qatar has been fantastic. The most important thing is the feeling of the people around you,” he added.

“(In the Champions League) You’re competing among the 40 best clubs in Asia. The level is quite high and teams are having fantastic players in their ranks. But that’s the beauty of football. If you want to be the best, you’ve to compete with the best and emerge victorious.

“We’re relishing the challenge. It’s not going to be easy, but nothing is impossible in football. We’re Al Duhail, we’re a great club.”

Olunga, who is currently on international duty for Harambee Stars ahead of next week’s friendly duel with Russia, will now be working with former Lille and Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier after the Frenchman was unveiled as Al Duhail’s new tactician on Thursday.

Al Duhail are currently fourth on the Qatar Stars League log with 10 points, three behind leaders Al Sadd, with Olunga second on the leading scorers’ chart with six behind Al Gharafa’s Yacine Brahimi (seven goals) after five matches.