Harambee Stars Captain Michael Olunga’s Career Highlights at Al Duhail in Qatar
Michael Olunga, the captain of Harambee Stars, has shared the accomplishments that have brought him the most satisfaction since he joined Qatar Stars League champions Al Duhail three years ago.
Olunga made the move to Al Duhail during the January transfer window of the 2020-21 season and has enjoyed remarkable success during his time there. He secured the Golden Boot award in the 2021-22 season with 24 goals, and he repeated the feat in the 2022-23 season, netting 22 league goals while helping his team secure the championship.
Additionally, Olunga emerged as the top scorer in the Ooredoo Cup with 10 goals, helping Al Duhail clinch the trophy, along with the Qatar Cup. His impressive tally for the last season stood at 40 goals from 38 games in all competitions.
When asked about his most memorable moments in Qatar, Olunga pointed out his individual accolades as the source of his greatest joy.
“My first league goal still lingers vividly in my memory. Becoming the top scorer in two seasons, especially the last season when I scored four goals in the final match (where Al Duhail defeated Al Shamal 5-2), was unforgettable,” Olunga shared during an interview with the Qatar Stars League website.
“However, winning the Amir Cup in the 2021-2022 season holds a special place in my heart due to the prestige associated with the tournament.”
He continued, “Also, reaching the semifinals of the 2022 AFC Champions League was one of my best moments in Qatar. We had a great run, and it was a significant achievement for Al Duhail to reach the last four in the highest continental competition for the first time in the club’s history.”
While reflecting on his past achievements, Olunga admitted that he is not currently enjoying the club’s performance, as they have only secured one point in their first two Asian Champions League games and managed just one win in their last five games in all competitions. This downturn in form led to the sacking of Argentine coach Hernan Crespo.
“I can’t honestly say that I am enjoying our current run. However, I feel great about my time at Al Duhail, as we have won almost all the titles since I joined them. The most important thing is the camaraderie with the people around you,” Olunga added.
In regards to the challenging competition in the AFC Champions League, he stated, “You’re competing among the top 40 clubs in Asia. The level is quite high, and teams have fantastic players in their ranks. But that’s the beauty of football. If you want to be the best, you have to compete with the best and come out on top. We’re embracing the challenge. It won’t be easy, but nothing is impossible in football. We are Al Duhail, and we are a great club.”
Olunga, who is currently on international duty with Harambee Stars for an upcoming friendly against Russia, will now be working with former Lille and Paris Saint-Germain coach Christophe Galtier after Galtier was introduced as Al Duhail’s new head coach on Thursday.
As things stand, Al Duhail is fourth in the Qatar Stars League standings with 10 points, trailing leaders Al Sadd by three points. Olunga is second on the league’s top scorers’ chart with six goals, trailing Al Gharafa’s Yacine Brahimi (seven goals) after five matches.
