Harambee Stars Coach Benni McCarthy Pins CHAN 2024 Hopes on the 'Next Michael Olunga'

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has backed Tusker striker Ryan Ogam to be Kenya’s star man at CHAN 2024, drawing comparisons to Michael Olunga.

Tusker FC striker Ryan Ogam is poised to be a key player for Kenya in the upcoming 2024 Africa Nations Championship (CHAN), according to Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy.

The tournament, exclusively for locally-based players, kicks off on August 2 and will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.

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Despite an injury-shortened season that limited him, Ogam netted an impressive 15 goals.

McCarthy believes the Tusker forward's sharp instincts, relentless work ethic, and calm finishing mirror the qualities of Kenyan international star Michael Olunga.

“With the right guidance and continued development, I believe one day he might be the next Olunga and he also has the ability to play in Europe,” McCarthy said during a training session at Kasarani asquoted by Citizen Digital.

Ogam Set to Fill Void Left by Olunga and Departed Forwards

Ogam's red-hot start to the 2024/25 FKF Premier League season was cut short by injury, allowing Kakamega Homeboyz striker Moses Shumah to take the Golden Boot with 17 goals.

Another top forward, Emmanuel Osoro, who finished with 16 goals, also exited the local scene after securing a move to Zambia's Power Dynamos.

Their absence from CHAN as well as that of Olunga who inelligible, leaves a gaping hole in Kenya’s attack, one that McCarthy is counting on Ogam to fill.

“Even with the injury he had, Ryan is still a very capable player with great ability. He knows where the goals are, and he’s a player I will always reward,” the former South African striker noted.

McCarthy also challenged the left-footed striker to refine his right foot to become more unpredictable in the final third.

“He’s very explosive but he’s very left-footed. I told him I need him to work on his right foot as well.”

Crunch Group Fixtures Await

Kenya has been drawn in a challenging Group A, alongside DR Congo, Angola, Morocco, and Zambia.

Harambee Stars will begin their campaign against DR Congo on August 3 at Kasarani Stadium.

They then face Angola on August 7, Morocco on August 10, and wrap up group play against Zambia on August 17.

McCarthy remains confident that Ogam can shoulder the pressure and rise to the occasion.

With the spotlight firmly on him, Ryan Ogam now has the chance to live up to his coach’s belief and perhaps take the first steps toward becoming the next Michael Olunga.