Harambee Stars captain Olunga leaves Qatar a champion and top scorer

Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga [Courtesy]

Michael Olunga, the captain of Kenya's national football team Harambee Stars, has officially confirmed his departure from Qatari side Al Duhail SC, ending a successful four-and-a-half-year spell with the club.

Olunga leaves as a legend-Al Duhail's all-time top scorer with 130 goals-and with a trophy cabinet full of domestic titles and personal accolades that have solidified his place as one of the most dominant strikers in Qatar's football history.

The club confirmed his exit on Thursday evening through a touching video montage posted on social media, celebrating the many memories he created since joining in January 2021.

Speaking in a farewell message, the 31-year-old Olunga expressed gratitude to the club and everyone who supported him.

"I want to thank everyone at the club, starting with the president, vice president, the backroom staff, the coaches, my teammates, and the medical team. We've shared both good and tough moments, and I truly enjoyed every bit of my time here," he said.

Olunga's journey in Qatar began with immediate impact. He scored six goals in nine appearances during his debut season and went on to dominate the Qatar Stars League. He bagged 24 goals in 20 matches in the 2021/22 season and followed it up with 22 goals in 22 matches the next year. Even with fewer games in 2023/24, he still managed 16 goals from 18 appearances. His final season was no different-he netted an incredible 12 goals in just five matches by May 2025.

His performances helped Al Duhail win several titles, most notably the domestic treble in the 2022/23 season, clinching the Qatar Stars League, Qatar Cup, and Ooredoo Cup under coach Hernan Crespo. In the league title decider against Al Shamal that season, Olunga scored four goals in a 5-2 win, a moment that remains etched in the hearts of fans.

Beyond team success, Olunga also collected numerous personal awards. In 2021, he became the top scorer in the AFC Champions League with nine goals in six games-a historic feat as the first Kenyan and first Al Duhail player to do so. He won the Qatar Stars League Golden Boot in 2021/22 and 2022/23, and was named QNB Stars League Player of the Month in October-November 2021.

In December 2024, the Kenyan Embassy in Doha recognised his achievements with a special award, celebrating his record-breaking goal tally and his role as a Kenyan ambassador both on and off the pitch.