Ryan Ogam: 3 Interesting Facts About the Harambee Stars Hero Who Stunned Morocco at 2024 CHAN

Most African football supporters are beginning to get acquainted with the name Ryan Wesley Ogam, and for good reasons.

The 20-year-old striker, born in Nairobi on December 21, 2004, has exploded onto the continental landscape with a combination of speed, strength, and accuracy in front of the goal.

Ogam's leading role in Kenya's dramatic 1-0 win against Morocco in the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) not only propelled Harambee Stars to the quarterfinals' doorstep but also etched his name in Kenyan football history.

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But behind the headlines is a story of redemption, determination, and raw talent that is causing ripples far beyond Kenya's borders.

Ryan Ogam's football career did not start out as a forward player. In fact, when Tusker FC first signed him, it was as a defensive midfielder — a position based on breaking the flow of play and not scoring.

He was first envisioned by coaches as a defender in the backline, who valued his work rate and tactical intelligence in midfield. But fate had other plans, and his attacking nature began to show during training.

Tusker's technical bench, who were enduring an injury crisis for strikers, were at the point where they would rather have Ogam play higher up the pitch.

It was an experiment that transformed his career. He was scoring with alarming regularity within a few weeks, displaying a natural-bred striker's instincts of movement, positioning, and finishing. The experiment was so successful that the coaching staff never looked back.

By the conclusion of the 2024 FKF Premier League, Ogam had scored a record 15 goals in just 17 games for the Brewers. His skillful finish in front of the box was league chatter, and he was one of the most feared Kenyan domestic football forwards.

Ogam's crossover to the big time was built on years of graft at several clubs and countries. He began at Galaxy FC, where his natural talent was noticed by scouts. This was supplemented by experience at Sunrise FC and UEFA Despanol, where he refined the technical aspect of his game and game intelligence.

At each level, a dash of maturity fell into his game. His initiation into top-flight football was at Rainbow FC in the FKF National Super League. The move was permanent, and he experienced the physicality of the professional league. His form did not escape the notice of foreign teams, as he had a spell with Elite Falcons FC in the United Arab Emirates — an eye-opener to tactical awareness and versatility.

Back in Kenya in 2024 to play for Tusker FC, Ogam had with him the discipline and confidence acquired abroad. It did not take long before he was a regular at the club, and his form earned him a call-up to the national team in January 2025 in the Mapinduzi Cup.

The highlight of Ogam's young career to date came against a high-profile backdrop: Kenya's third Group A match against two-time champions Morocco at CHAN 2024.

The match gave the Kenyans and Moroccans absolutely everything, and Ogam took his opportunity in the 42nd minute, rounding the Moroccan goalkeeper with the ball to send the Moi International Sports Centre into raptures.

That match not only posted a historic 1-0 victory but also brought to an end Morocco's CHAN unbeaten record, booking Kenya's quarterfinal place. The mission was also compounded by the red card to Chrispine Erambo in first-half added time, and Kenya held on to their one-goal advantage with ten men for the remainder of the second half.

But Ogam's strike proved to be the difference, and goalkeeper Bryne Omondi pulled off some important saves to secure the win.

National team coach Benni McCarthy later likened Ogam to Kenyan all-time great Michael Olunga, hailing his "natural finishing and clever movement."

For Ogam, the Morocco goal was not only a match-winner — it was a statement that he is one of Africa's football brainiest.