Ryan Ogam Quickly Stealing the Spotlight From Mohammed Bajaber as Harambee Stars’ Starboy

Since the appointment of Benni McCarthy as Harambee Stars coach, Simba SC star Mohammed Bajaber had become the team’s starboy but now, there is a new sheriff in town.

Bajaber endeared himself to Kenyan fans following his cracking goal in the 3-3 draw away to The Gambia in March in what was McCarthy’s first match in charge.

The former Kenya Police and Nairobi City Stars attacker was among the surprise inclusions into McCarthy’s squad and he proved that he fully deserved a spot in the team when he came off the bench and scored a beauty as Kenya came from behind twice to nick a 3-3 draw.

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He would be handed a start in the 2-1 loss to Gabon four days later but an injury in June ruled him out of friendly matches with Chad before a transfer to Simba saw him pull out of Kenya’s squad for the 2024 African Nations Championships. The injury setback he suffered four months ago has also kept him out of the national team for matches in September and October.

In his absence, a new star has been born and that is striker Ryan Ogam, who has become a fan-favourite due to his ruthlessness in front of goal since the CHAN 2024 tournament.

Ogam scored two goals in CHAN, winners against Morocco and Zambia, and was unlucky to see his goal chopped off in the quarter-final against Madagascar, but has continued to shine for the national team.

The former Tusker FC striker, who recently signed for Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC, has four goals in his last three games for McCarthy’s team, and in the last eight matches, he has netted six times.

What makes Ogam so lethal is that he does not need many chances to convert as just one opportunity can see him make the difference in games.

Ogam is also a goal poacher who positions himself well in and around the box, hard to mark and his goal scoring qualities have seen him become an instant superstar.

With Bajaber missing, Ogam has made fans forget about the Simba star and is also threatening to dislodge captain Michael Olunga as Kenya’s main man upfront.

It remains to be seen how coach McCarthy will utilise the 20-year-old striker going forward but what is certain is that a new star has been born and it is no longer just Bajaber hogging the limelight, a great thing for Harambee Stars.