Tusker forward Ryan Ogam is setting his sights on securing a starting spot for Harambee Stars, particularly targeting the number nine role, currently held by captain Michael Olunga. Ogam, who is in top form, has publicly expressed his desire to compete with Olunga, who plays for Al-Duhail, for the prestigious position in the national team.
Ogam first made his mark in the national team under former coach Engin Firat, and has since solidified his reputation as one of Kenya’s most promising strikers. His current form in the FKF Premier League, where he leads the scoring charts with 15 goals, has further cemented his place as a lethal forward. In January 2025, Ogam netted his first goal for Harambee Stars during the Mapinduzi Cup, helping Kenya secure a 2-0 victory over Tanzania.
In a recent interview on the Crafting Stars podcast, Ogam spoke candidly about the fierce competition for a starting role in the national team. He acknowledged the challenge of displacing Olunga, who has long been a key figure for Harambee Stars, along with other seasoned players like John Avire. Despite these challenges, Ogam remains confident in his abilities and is determined to make an impact when called upon.
“My biggest challenge in the national team obviously is (Michael) Olunga; there are also players like John Avire. They’ve been around for a while, and they’ve earned their place,” Ogam remarked. However, Ogam also revealed his excitement at the possibility of playing alongside Olunga, hinting at the prospect of a formidable partnership in attack. He sees Olunga as a player whose achievements he admires, and he believes that pairing up with him could lead to a highly effective strike partnership for the team.
Ogam elaborated, saying, “If you look at him as a player, what he has achieved is something every striker admires and dreams of achieving. So if given that chance, I’d say the first thing to do is to learn. When I play with someone, I want to understand how they play, and then it becomes easy for me.” This perspective highlights Ogam’s humility and eagerness to learn from Olunga’s experience, which could potentially strengthen the attacking options for Harambee Stars.
The competition for the number nine spot is not lost on Ogam, who understands that the final decision rests with the coach. Benni McCarthy, the newly appointed Harambee Stars head coach, will ultimately decide who gets the starting role. Ogam has openly acknowledged the challenge that comes with such opportunities, stating, “When you get such an opportunity, obviously, you don’t want to let go. So the challenge now remains on the coach—either we twin-strike or one of us starts.”
McCarthy, who took over the national team reins recently, faces a difficult task in deciding how best to utilize the attacking talents at his disposal. With Olunga’s proven track record at the international level and Ogam’s impressive performances in the domestic league, the South African coach will have to weigh his options carefully as Kenya prepares for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March. The coach’s decision will be crucial in shaping the future of the team’s attacking strategy.
For Ogam, the upcoming 2024 CHAN tournament, co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania in August, presents a golden opportunity to further establish himself in the national team. With Olunga ineligible for the tournament, Ogam could have the chance to lead the line for Harambee Stars and make his case for a more permanent spot in the team. This could prove to be a turning point in Ogam’s international career, as he looks to cement his place alongside the likes of Olunga and other established players in the team.
As Ogam continues to shine domestically, he remains determined to challenge for a starting role in the national team, confident that his time to lead Harambee Stars is fast approaching. The competition between Ogam and Olunga for the number nine role will undoubtedly add an exciting dynamic to Kenya’s upcoming fixtures, as both players vie for the chance to spearhead the attack in the crucial World Cup qualifiers.
