Michael Olunga Explains Benni McCarthy's Decision to Call Up Lawrence Okoth for World Cup Qualifiers

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga believes Lawrence Okoth deserves a spot in the national team after he received a call-up from coach Benni McCarthy.

Lawrence Okoth, a former Michael Olunga Football Academy (MOFA) FC forward, was impressive in the Under-20 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that helped shape his career.

The 20-year-old striker scored in a 4-0 victory over Burundi during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and continued his fine form at the finals in Cairo. There, he scored two more goals, including Kenya's first-ever goal at the tournament, finishing as the team's top scorer.

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Lawrence Okoth has since signed a two-year professional contract with Finnish top-tier club SJK Seinäjoki. The move marks a historic moment, as Okoth becomes the first player from the academy to secure a professional deal abroad.

Michael Olunga insisted that he does not have anything to do with Lawrence Okoth being called up to the Harambee Stars squad to face Burundi and the Ivory Coast.

The Al Arabi SC striker explained that Lawrence Okoth has been putting in the work, and his form has caught the attention of Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy.

Michael Olunga further noted that coach Benni McCarthy works with a very dedicated team that is always keen on rising talent, and he believes Lawrence Okoth deserves a spot in the Harambee Stars squad.

“Well, he's been working hard, and he deserves the opportunity just like any other player playing in Kenya and all the players who played in the under-20 AFCON,” Michael Olunga told reporters.

“I believe most of them are talented, and whoever works with the coach is fair, and he has his eyes all over the country. So, I believe it's just by merit, and hopefully he can, you know, do what he does best.”

Lawrence Okoth's career has been on a steady upward trajectory. After graduating from Gianchere Friends High School in 2022, he joined Vihiga Bullets, where he found the net seven times during the 2022/23 season.

Lawrence Okoth then moved to Samwest Blackboots for the 2023/24 campaign, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists under coach George Owoko. His impressive form led to a mid-2024 transfer to MOFA, where he added another 10 goals despite his commitments with the national team.

His brother Dennis plays for Mathare United, and their father was previously a youth development coordinator for the Aspire Football Academy.

Lawrence Okoth has now signed with SJK Seinäjoki, a club founded in 2007 that won the Finnish league title in 2015.