‘The Priority Was to Get Fit’ - Why Harambee Stars CHAN 2024 Hero Ryan Ogam Was Not Focused on Goals

Harambee Stars forward Ryan Ogam has explained how his plan heading into the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN) was not primarily about scoring goals.

Ogam, who has secured a move to Austrian outfit Wolfsberger AC, was a doubt for the tournament altogether, having missed half of the 2024/2025 FKF Premier League season through injury while playing for Tusker, where he was enjoying a dream run of 15 goals in 17 games after transitioning to center forward.

However, he recovered just in time to make the tournament, and in the end, ended up scoring two crucial goals against Morocco and Zambia.

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Now, the striker is about to embark on a European adventure, following a career that has seen him enjoy some time in Dubai, as well as Division Two, Division One and the National Super League while playing for both Dagoretti High School and Tusker.

Speaking to KTN, Ogam explained that his immediate focus was not on hitting the back of the net, but on proving his readiness for selection.

“At first, before the call-up, I had spoken to the assistant coach. I was injured at the time and going through rehabilitation, but he contacted me to ask about my situation. From the way we talked, I could tell they were planning to include me in the team.

“For me, the priority was to get fit first. I wasn’t even thinking about scoring; I just wanted to be ready and make the squad of 25. After that, we could plan how to contribute goals.”

Ogam admitted that being in the same squad with Harambee Stars veterans, including Masoud Juma, was a major learning experience.

“When I finally joined the team, I was very happy to get the call-up and be in the squad, especially because there were other great stars like Masoud —such a big brother and a great player. Seeing what he had achieved in his career was inspiring. I was still young, together with other young players, and we had to learn from them.”

After scoring his first CHAN goal against Morocco, expectations skyrocketed, and Ogam found himself under intense scrutiny from fans, teammates, and the media.

“At first, it was a lot of pressure for me. After scoring my first goal, people expected me to score in every match that followed. Even the senior players in camp would say, ‘You should score for us,’ especially with the allowances and prize money at stake.

“ There was pressure from teammates, fans, and everyone else. But the senior players also helped me a lot. They told me to relax and just play my game.”

Ogam described his emotions after scoring on the big stage, admitting that the excitement kept him awake long after the final whistle.

“I was very proud of what I achieved, because scoring at the biggest stage in front of all those fans was such a huge pleasure. I was so happy that day—I couldn’t even sleep. 

“I think I went to bed around 4 a.m. because I spent hours going through social media, reading what people were saying. I really felt the love.”

Now set for European football with Wolfsberger AC, Ogam’s rise from high school football at Dagoretti, through Division Two, Division One, the NSL, and Tusker FC, to the CHAN spotlight marks him as one of Kenya’s most exciting young talents.