The recent performances of the 21-year-old, especially during the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament in East Africa, elicited debate across a section of Kenyan fans with a number urging coach Benni McCarthy to prefer him ahead of Olunga during national team assignments.
The debate got even more heated during Kenya’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying Group F fixture against Gambia which Harambee Stars lost 3-1. During the clash at Kasarani Stadium, Olunga started as a lone striker and featured for the entire 90 minutes but was not able to find the back of the net.
However, Ogam was introduced from the bench in the 65th minute with Kenya trailing 3-0 after replacing Emmanuel Osoro, and the outgoing Tusker FC youngster scored the consolation in the 81st minute. His goal against the Scorpions came after he had shone at CHAN, scoring in the group stages against eventual winners Morocco and Zambia.
On Tuesday against Seychelles in their matchday eight fixture of the World Cup qualifiers, Ogam showed up again with another superb display, putting Kenya ahead, before notching the third as Harambee Stars went ahead to win 5-0. On the other hand, Olunga chipped in with two goals, his first coming from the penalty spot after Ogam had been fouled inside the area.
Ogam's exploits have already secured him a place in European football, as he has already been signed by Austrian Bundesliga side Wolfsberger AC, and will link up with the team in the course of this week.
Ogam, Olunga partnership deadly for Kenya
According to Origi, who was one of the most successful keepers in Kenya, and the only Kenyan goalkeeper to play in Europe for more than 15 years, playing Ogam alongside Olunga for future assignments could bring out the potential of the national team and could turn it into a more dominant team in Africa.
“The rise of Ryan (Ogam), doesn’t have to be the end of Michael (Olunga) at the national team,” Origi, who played 45 international matches for Kenya, told Flashscore. “If anything, this could be a striking partnership that could bring out both theirs and the national team's full potential.”
Origi, whose uncle Mike Origi was a professional footballer in Belgium, and his cousin Divock Origi plays for AC Milan in Italy's Serie A as well as the Belgium national team, added: “As a result of Olunga’s performances at the international and club level, opponents pay close attention to him, and the way Ogam has entered the stage, it will be foolish for any opposition not to respect his qualities and threat and also pay close attention to him.
“So, Olunga and Ogam playing together will definitely free up space for the other, and if the opponents decides to pay close attention to both of them, then that will mean free space and free players elsewhere, which effectively might turn the Harambee Stars into a more dominant, difficult football team in Africa to play against.”
He concluded: "Olunga and Ogam partnership could mean happy days for the Harambee Stars, and we fans of Harambee Stars will be the happiest lot.”
Olunga’s brace against the Island nation enabled him to move level on goals with retired striker Dennis Oliech. The former Gor Mahia striker has now scored 34 goals; he is now one goal away from breaking the mark held by former Gor Mahia striker William Ouma (35 goals).
